Staff at Felling drinks wholesaler Waverley TBS were left “completely shocked” in October when bosses informed them, without any form of consultation, that they no longer had a job.
The firm had gone into administration and, when a buyer could not be found, workers were told at a meeting just six days later that they were being made redundant.
A judge sitting at Newcastle Employment Tribunal awarded the workers 75 days’ pay which, as the company is now defunct, will be paid by the Government.
Sara Devennie of Beecham Peacock acted for the employees, most of whom were members of Unite the Union. She said: “The workers were completely shocked; nobody knew it was coming. Waverley TBS comprehensively failed to engage with the workers, who were left completely in the dark throughout. This decision will not make up for what they went through, but it will go some way towards compensating them financially and helping them get on with their lives.”
Philippa Roberts
Trainee Solicitor
