Workers in bittersweet victory

Former Fife Simclar workers are celebrating a bittersweet victory after being awarded compensation.

Around 130 workers at Simclar’s Pitreavie plant were made redundant after the global electronics firm went into administration last year.

Since then the Community trade union has been fighting for redundancy pay, unpaid wages, unpaid notice and awards for unfair dismissal.

FORMER FIFE Simclar workers are celebrating a bittersweet victory after being awarded compensation.

Around 130 workers at Simclar’s Pitreavie plant were made redundant after the global electronics firm went into administration last year.

Since then the Community trade union has been fighting for redundancy pay, unpaid wages, unpaid notice and awards for unfair dismissal.

The Courier has learned 104 workers are set to receive pay-outs after the union took the case to an employment tribunal.

Twelve will also receive full unpaid holiday pay and one has won an award for dismissal for trade union activities.

In addition, members of Community have also won a 90-day protective award after it was recognised the company failed to undertake appropriate levels of consultation with employee representatives.

Community union campaign manager John Paul Mchugh said: “This is a good result for our members and the other workers in this case. Given the way the longserving and loyal employees were treated, it is sad that such a situation had to come about but I am pleased that we got justice.”

The workers’ case was backed by Mid Scotland and Fife MSP John Park, who worked closely with the trade union to highlight problems at the Dunfermline site.

Mr Park said: “I am really pleased that the former employees of Simclar have won their case. Many of the workers had been based at Simclar for years so it was a real slap in the face when they lost their jobs in such a way.

“We’re waiting to find out how much of the money will come from the insolvency fund and how much will have to be picked up by the taxpayer through the Redundancy Payments Office. In light of this, I am renewing my calls for irresponsible company owners to contribute towards the costs of redundancy payments when businesses go bust.”

Last year, Mr Park said there had been allegations that, following the company going into receivership, the remaining staff at the Pitreavie plant were “facing intimidation” from senior management over trade union membership.

Simclar supplied wiring, looms and sheet metal work to a number of blue chip customers.

The Dunfermline plant was put into administration by owner Sam Russell last June.

Mr Russell hit the headlines again just a fortnight ago when it emerged that administrators were pursuing the businessman through the Court of Session for £3 million worth of dividends paid from the company’s Ayrshire wing, which also closed down.

John Reid, joint administrator and partner in Deloitte’s Restructuring Services team, said: “Certain of Simclar International Limited’s (SIL) assets were sold to Greenfold Systems Limited (GSL) on September 21 2011, and 67 of the company’s employees transferred to GSL at that date. GSL operates from one of SIL’S factories at Pitreavie Industrial Estate, Dunfermline.

“The company’s remaining assets are principally seven industrial properties in Pitreavie Industrial Estate, Dunfermline, and the joint administrators continue to market them for sale.”