Tribunal rules for former factory staff

Union chiefs have welcomed the news that around 130 former workers at a Livingston factory are eligible for compensation over the closure of the site, following an employment tribunal decision.

API Foils closed several global factories at the end of January last year after its parent company, Us-based Steel Partner Holdings, issued a press release to the New York stock exchange stating the firm was entering administration.

The Livingston factory had at the time had recently won an order for labelling Prosecco worth £2 million andmanufacturedspecialty foils and packaging materials which were distributed to Europe, North America and Australasia.

The closure of the factory in Livingston left employees redundant, with Unite calling for the Scottish Government and West Lothian Council to work with the company to find a buyer.

At the time, Unite’s deputy Scottish secretary, Mary Alexander, said workers had been left in a "state of shock and anxiety" that theirjobscouldgoovernight and without any warning.

But in a statement issued yesterday, Unite welcomed the news that former API Foils workers are set to receive compensation following an employment tribunal decision due to the closure of the Livingston based factory.

Theunionsaidaround130 formerworkersarenoweligible for a protective award against API Foils Limited after legal action initiated by Unite on behalf of the workforce.

The award is remunerationfortheprotectedperiod of 90 days starting on February 3, 2020, which means workers could receive up to £4,200 (for 8 weeks) subject to tax and deductions.

The API Foils factory in Livingston