We're going a little off-piste with this one Gurnites but it just seems so tragic that such a decision by Highland Council means workers in the Highlands getting paid off like this. The details is in the press release from John Finnie MSP which can be read below.
North Green MSP John Finnie raised the plight of 31 workers, who have lost their jobs due to a controversial Highland Council procurement decision, at First Minter’s Questions, this afternoon.
The decision has resulted in the entire workforce at Evanton-based William Munro Construction losing their jobs, after Highland Council awarded a £1.5million recycling contract to a French multi-national company, SUEZ.
The council informed the company by email, less than 2hours before their existing contract expired that their recycling contact would not be renewed.
Subsequently, SUEZ has denied they need to take on any of Munro’s workforce under the TUPE Regulations and the 31 workers now not only have no work but are also, due to their disputed employment status, unable to claim benefits.
This new contract will result in recyclable waste from across the Highlands being transported to Newcastle for processing.
John said:
“It is extremely concerning that the Highland Council have acted in this fashion, essentially pushing 31 employees into redundancy less than one month before Christmas.
“I was pleased to have the opportunity to raise the issue with the First Minister and welcome that she plans to investigate.
“It beggars belief that the council have decided they will transport this waste to Newcastle for processing. They have failed to adequately consider the workers involved, the impact this will have on the local economy in Easter Ross and the wider environmental impact transporting this waste will have and I’ve written them telling them so.”
