£340,000 payout for Brintons workers made redundant (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

£340,000 payout for Brintons workers made redundant

7:20am Tuesday 7th February 2012 in News By Jennifer Meierhans

BRINTONS ex-workers made redundant in 2010 could be entitled to a share of a £340,000 payout.

Community Union won an employment tribunal on behalf of 69 former employees but needs to track them down to give them their slice of the sum.

The case related to staff who received compulsory redundancy in April, 2010, when the carpet manufacturer failed to follow correct procedures.

The tribunal found a lack of information had been given to workers during the 90-day consultation period, including not being told of options for retraining.

A spokesman for Brintons said the mistakes happened before the current management.

Gavin Miller, regional campaign manager for Community, confirmed that as the company no longer existed in the form it did at the time of the failings, the money would come from the public purse.

“It’s a fantastic result for the workers,” he said, “The union has worked very hard on their behalf and we have a strong membership at Brintons. Employees were very down because some have been there 30 to 40 years and to have compulsory redundancy is not their choice.

“The money might make it easier to live with but it’s a horrible thing for anyone to be made redundant.”

He added: “We hope it shows the benefits of union membership as this is an example of how we can make a direct difference to people’s lives. Some employees who may be entitled to this money may have changed contact details and not kept us informed so anyone who was a union member at that time and was made redundant should get in touch.”

Anyone who thinks they might be entitled to some of the payout should call Community Union on 01562 749150.