UPDATE: Pier workers- deafening silence

Stephen Lloyd MP has published a list of Frequently Asked Questions on his website, which you can read here. However, on the issue of the Pier staff, there remains a deafening silence, other than the repeated assurance that they will get help with their benefits. Mr Lloyd assures them:

"What about those who have lost their job on the Pier?   Eastbourne Borough Council have a team of benefit advisors [sic] who should be able to assist. Their address is 1 Grove Road, Eastbourne, BN21 4TG. Additionally, the MP has contacted the Job Centre Plus to ensure that they are fully aware of the situation. Their address is 2 St Annes Road, Eastbourne, BN21 3XX."

So, to those who have lost their livelihood, the MP offers the address of the nearest dole office.

What Stephen Lloyd SHOULD be asking is:-

How many staff were employed in total on the pier, and how many individuals (including seasonal, casuals etc.) were employed by different companies ?

How many of these staff had more than two years service (under reforms that he voted for, only staff with two years service can apply to an Employment Tribunal for a decision on unfair dismissal. So, a staff member with 23 months service has virtually no rights, and Mr Lloyd thinks that's fine.)

Those staff with two years service will be entitled to redundancy money. However, if there are 20 staff in any one company facing redundancy, there should be a paid 30-day consultation period with staff, to ensure that all options are considered fairly. Is this happening ?

Those staff without two years service will be entitled to be paid until a decision is reached about their jobs, and then they should be paid their contractual notice.  How many staff are in this position, and what is their notice entitlement ?

How many affected staff were on the notorious zero hours contracts ?  If there are any, the chances are they have stopped being paid already (a bit like White Star line did at the point the Titanic sank) and will continue in unpaid limbo. Are there staff in this situation, and if so, what does Mr Lloyd think about it ?

The additional funding to support the economy will help the small traders on the pier, and quite rightly so. But, again, not a single word about how this funding will be used to alleviate hardship or support the move to alternative employment for Pier staff.  Why no answers ?

 

Are you a member of Pier staff ?  Do you want advice or support about your contractual rights ?  Please let us know via e-mail here.