TJ’s staff ‘angry at treatment’ - USDAW

Union hits out at administrators
A UNION has slammed the treatment of staff after the closure of Oldham’s TJ Hughes store was announced.

The Chronicle revealed yesterday that the store in Spindles, which occupied 50,000sq ft on two floors, will shut on Sunday after administrators were unable to find a buyer.

There will be 72 job losses and staff were left shocked that the closure was happening at such short notice.

John Gorle, Usdaw national officer, said: “These latest closures are bitterly disappointing but are now entirely predictable despite the claims of the administrators that they are still trying to find a buyer for the remaining stores.

“They appear to be operating to a pre-determined closure timetable which they have decided to keep under wraps rather than be open and honest with staff and their trade union.

“Our members are understandably extremely angry at the way they are being treated. Loyal and hardworking staff are keeping stores open and running despite their precarious situation and as a absolute minimum they should be getting regular and accurate information from the administrators and proper notice and consultation before being made redundant.

“This is yet another example of the urgent need for government to review the laws surrounding liquidation and insolvency. Administrators are able to ignore the legal protections and contractual terms of employees because they know it is the taxpayer who ultimately picks up the bill for any compensation awarded to staff as a result.

“It is wrong and we shall continue to campaign for a fundamental change in the law so that workers in these situations are much better protected.

“In the meantime Usdaw will continue to do everything we can to support and represent our members through this very difficult period. We’ll be making sure they receive all monies and severance payments they are entitled to and we will also provide advice and support to help them find another job.”

A spokeswoman for administrators Ernst and Young insisted employees are being offered appropriate support and advice throughout the redundancy process and Jobcentre Plus representatives are providing support to help find future employment.

Joint administrator Tom Jack said, “A purchaser for these stores was not found and regrettably we have had to schedule the store closures.

“We are extremely grateful to the employees and management at all the stores for their loyalty and support during this very difficult time.

The once-thriving Liverpool-based chain had traded from 57 outlets and employed more than 4,000 staff nationwide. The company went into administration on July 1 and since then 30 stores have closed. Six stores have been bought by Lewis’s Home Retail Limited.