Staff of former Shropshire security firm may get payments

The former security workers of RMP Specialist Services Ltd of Stafford Park, Telford, which went into liquidation, made their legal claims at Birmingham Employment Tribunal against the Government's Department of Business, Innovation and Skills which is based in the city.

In addition, the former guards also claimed thousands of pounds in protective awards.

The Department opposed the claims and said they were not responsible for all the payments.

Now tribunal judge Mr David Parry has decided that Clearview Security UK of Halesfield Business Park, Halesfield, Telford, took over the RMP firm and is responsible for paying some of the claims.

The amounts are to be decided later.

Protective awards, which can include two or three months pay per individual, are often granted when a firm ceases trading without carrying out consultations with employees about the pending loss of jobs.

There is a Government pay out limit of £450 a week.

The Department successfully argued there had been a transfer of jobs and work from RMP to Clearview Security UK Ltd Halesfield Business Park, Halesfield, Telford and because there had been a continuation of business, the Government was therefore not responsible for compensating all the employees.

The Department, however, may still be responsible for some of the payments.

At the latest hearing one former RMP employee, Mr Shaun Howes of Freeston Avenue, St. George's, Telford, said in his witness statement that guards were not paid by RMP for the right hours they worked and that the firm failed to confirm roster details.

The tribunal was told that one management member was alleged to have bullied guards- warning that if they did not work extra shifts "then don't bother to come back to work."

RMP experienced a downturn in business, faced problems receiving money from clients and went into liquidation, it was said.