Unite the Union to lodge legal claims for the workforce at the former Belfast printers Nicholson & Bass over unfair dismissal.
Brian Hewitt, a Regional Officer for Unite, has confirmed that his union will be initiating legal claims for workers at Nicholson and Bass. Fourteen of the workers have been recently dismissed, with eight offered employment under significantly reduced terms and conditions.
“Unite has been highly concerned by the approach taken by the new owners of Nicholson & Bass since they acquired the business in 2017,” said Hewitt. “We warned then that there appeared to be a strategy to undermine workers’ pay and terms and conditions. At the time of the transfer it was only the threat of strike action that forced the owners to respect the workforce’s right under TUPE legislation.
“Unfortunately management in the company have resorted to their previous agenda. In recent weeks fourteen staff were made redundant with no notice and eight were subsequently forced into re-employment on much reduced terms and conditions and pensions. This is a clear denial of their employment rights and Unite will be pursuing this through the courts.
Hewitt continued: “The behaviour of the owners of this company must and will be challenged in the courts.”
