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Thomas Cook staff begin legal action over job losses

Over 1,000 Thomas Cook staff will take legal action after losing their jobs when the airline collapsed.

At an event in Manchester on Friday, around 1,000 former employees came to sign up to legal action under the Protective Award, which is being co-ordinated by union Unite.

More unionised ex-workers are expected to sign up next week at events around the airline’s other UK hubs.

The firm’s liquidators said they will co-operate with any tribunal process.

The Unite-represented employees join around 100 non-union staff who earlier today said they will take legal action.

Both groups argue the airline and tour company acted unlawfully by not offering a Protective Award, a form of compensation given to staff of larger companies who are made redundant without being properly informed or consulted with.

Like the Unite-affiliated staff, the non-unionised Thomas Cook employees believe the firm acted unlawfully in the way they were dismissed and have appointed lawyers to seek redress through an employment tribunal.

Unite was meeting with former staff in Manchester to also inform members of their rights, how to begin redundancy claims with the government and to advise laid-off workers on job opportunities and updating their CV.

The union said it was calling on other airlines currently recruiting staff to “fast-track” the job applications of former Thomas Cook workers.

One ex-senior manager told the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire programme Thomas Cook was still offering jobs just days before going bust.

Lawyers from one firm, Simpson Millar, told the BBC that thousands of former workers at the firm could be due some money.

Employees are entitled to a Protective Award if they are made redundant from an office of more than 20 people without being properly informed – and are entitled to up to 90 days’ pay.

 

Read More – www.bbc.co.uk

June24619788 No Comments

MetaCompliance creates 70 new jobs in Londonderry expansion

A cyber security firm is creating 70 jobs in Londonderry in a £4.5m investment.

MetaCompliance develops software that firms use to minimise risk from cyber attacks.

It is looking to expand its business into new markets in the US and Europe.

Chief Executive Robert O’Brien said: “We have seen a rapid global increase in the demand of cyber-security products and services, particularly since GDPR has been implemented.”

Invest Northern Ireland has offered £695,000 of support towards the new roles.

It said this expansion will generate £1.9m a year in salaries to the local economy.

Mr O’Brien said InvestNI’s support “has been fundamental to our continued growth” to match the demand for cyber security products.

John Hood of Invest NI, said the new jobs will allow MataCompliance to “build upon its previous success and help the company to expand its presence in the North West, the cybersecurity market, and in new markets”.

Read More – www.bbc.co.uk

June24619788 No Comments

Minimum wage: How high could the lowest salaries go?

The National Living Wage will rise to £10.50 an hour by 2025, the government has said. So, how high could the lowest wages actually go?

What happens to the minimum wage already affects lots of low paid people – from bar staff to waiters and nursery nurses to sales assistants.

But the planned increases – announced by Chancellor Sajid Javid – mean the wage will increasingly affect many more.

When it reaches £10.50, it will be two-thirds of the median (middle) wage. It is likely to affect one in four employees and will be extended to all employees aged 21 and over by the mid 2020s.

But is there a limit to increasing the lowest wages and what are the benefits and risks of paying more?

How high is the minimum wage?

The UK already has one of the world’s highest minimum wages.

For workers aged 25 and over it is currently £8.21 an hour – a level known as the “National Living Wage”. There are also lower rates for younger workers, ranging from £4.35 to £7.70.

 

Read More – www.bbc.co.uk