Axminster Carpets workers ‘shocked’ at union decision (From Dorset Echo)

Axminster Carpets workers ‘shocked’ at union decision

3:00pm Friday 15th March 2013 in News

WORKERS at Axminster Carpets have reacted with ‘shock and anger’ as the trade union considers launching tribunal proceedings.

Many of the company’s employees live in West Dorset, near Bridport and Lyme Regis.

The Community union, which represents workers at the firm, said its members were devastated by the announcement that it was going into administration.

They were summoned to a meeting in the factory canteen to be told that 300 jobs would be lost and only 95 would be saved.

A spokesman for Community said: “Community union members at Axminster Carpets reacted with a mixture of shock and anger at the sudden announcement of 300 redundancies at the company’s operations at Axminster and Buckfast, Devon.”

Community said sources close to the company indicated that several new sources of finance might be available in the near future to see the company through its difficulties.

A spokesman for Community said they have now started to explore tribunal proceedings.

The spokesman said: “Comm-unity has written to the administrators at Axminster Carpets seeking authority to bring emp-loyment tribunal proceedings for a protective award arising from the failure to consult over the announcement of 300 redundancies.

“Further claims may also follow.”