Jobs heartbreak for Thomas Cook staff
Hamilton’s Thomas Cook shop remained in darkness this week after the firm entered into compulsory liquidation.
The town’s Regent Shopping Centre store was closed on Monday morning as staff learned they no longer have jobs.
And the Hamilton shop is one of 600 across Britain affected by the devastating news.
The holiday firm, which employed 9000 people in the UK and 21,000 people in total across 16 countries, ceased trading in the early hours.
It is not yet clear how many staff have lost their jobs in the Hamilton shop, which has been in the town for a number of years.
Officials are facing calls to clarify what happens next, amid fears many workers will not receive a pay cheque this month.
Peter Fankhauser, chief executive of Thomas Cook, said: “We have worked exhaustively in the past few days to resolve the outstanding issues on an agreement to secure Thomas Cook’s future for its employees, suppliers.
“Although a deal had been largely agreed, an additional facility requested in the last few days of negotiations presented a challenge that ultimately proved insurmountable. customers and
“It is a matter of profound regret to me and the rest of the board that we were not successful.
“I would like to apologise to our millions of customers, and thousands of employees, suppliers and partners who have supported us for many years.
“Despite huge uncertainty over recent weeks, our teams continued to put customers first, showing why Thomas Cook is one of the bestloved brands in travel.
“Generations of customers entrusted their family holiday to Thomas Cook because our people kept our customers at the heart of the business and maintained our founder’s spirit of innovation.
“This marks a deeply sad day for the company which pioneered package holidays and made travel possible for millions of people around the world.”
The British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) said: “Despite continuing to keep Thomas Cook going in recent weeks with dignity and integrity while their own futures were being secretly decided we don’t even know if staff will get a pay cheque this month.
“It is despicable. Thomas Cook pilots and all staff deserve better than this.
“For pilots, BALPA will be supporting our members through the legal complexities of what Thomas Cook liquidation means for them and doing everything we can to help them find alternative jobs in other airlines.”