Ms J Melrose and Others v Buckingham Group Contracting Ltd (in Administration) and The Secretary of State for Business and Trade: 3313789/2023 and Others
JUDGMENT
(1) The respondent has failed to comply with a requirement of section 188 of the Trade Union & Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992. The claim for a protective award succeeds.(2) The Tribunal makes a protective award in respect of the claimants who worked at the respondent’s establishment at Blackpit Farm, Stowe, Buckinghamshire MK18 5LJ and who were dismissed as redundant on or after 4 September 2023 that the employer pay remuneration for the protected period which begins on 4 September 2023 and is for a period of 90 days. The Recoupment Regulations apply.REASONS
[1]The claimants were employed at the same establishment at Blackpit Farm, Stowe, Buckinghamshire MK18 5LJ (“the establishment”) and were made redundant on or after 4 September 2023.[2]There was no recognised trade union or elected employee representatives at the establishment. 3. 20 or more employees at the establishment were made redundant or placed at risk of redundancy, on or within 90 days of 4 September 2023.[4]The claimants were dismissed during this period without any consultation having taken place.[5]The last of the dismissals occurred on 4 September 2023, so all the claims were presented within the time limit contained in section 189(5)(b) of the Trade Union & Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.[6]The first respondent, which is in administration, has not filed a response but its administrators consent to this claim proceeding. The second respondent has filed a response to assist the Tribunal only and has no direct knowledge of events. In these circumstances it would be disproportionate to convene a hearing.[7]No reason has been shown to depart from the principle that protective awards are punitive and should be for the maximum period unless there are circumstances making it just not to do so.