Derbyshire factory workers win £1million in compensation

Former workers at a Derbyshire factory that went into administration last year have won more than £1million in compensation.
The former Courtaulds factory, Belper.The former Courtaulds factory, Belper.
The former Courtaulds factory, Belper.

The staff - who were all laid off last year by Belper hosiery firm Courtaulds - will now share £1.13million among 314 former employees.

The textile workers union, Community, successfully took the company to an employment tribunal following its failure to consult on redundancy.

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Tracy Barlow, a former shop steward at the factory a member of Community’s national executive, was the union’s lead witness at the tribunal.

She said: “This is never a situation in which workers want to find themselves, but I am delighted that justice has been served, and that hundreds of former Courtaulds employees will get the money that is rightfully theirs.

“For decades, I have been proud to represent workers as a Community rep, and I was proud to stand up and help argue their case along with Community’s expert legal team. This was a long process, but I am so pleased we got the right result in the end.

“I remember how awful we all felt when we heard the news that Courtaulds was to close, but the support of my union, Community since that time has been invaluable. Over £1million will be shared amongst my former colleagues, I know the difference that money will make and although we will never forget was has what happened, we can now look to the future.”

The union say they will now continue their campaign to ensure the judgement is delivered and that workers see that money as soon as possible.

For more on this story, see next week’s Belper News.