Drivers fight for redundancy pay (From Echo)

Drivers fight for redundancy pay

12:20pm Saturday 16th May 2009 in

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DRIVERS laid off by a Laindon haulage firm claim they have been left in financial dire straits without any redundancy pay.

The four men worked for M J Transport Services, formerly based in Wrexham Road, Laindon, until they were suddenly made redundant when the firm went into receivership.

They claim they are still owed pay for work, redundancy notice pay and a redundancy package, but have not received a penny since losing their jobs.

The workers are now seeking legal help, to try to claw back the money.

Michael Scarborough, 59, of Beambridge, Pitsea, worked for the company for eight years before being made redundant in April.

Mr Scarborough’s wife Julie, 57, is working with her husband and the three other drivers to make a legal claim for the money.

She said: “I think the way the workers have been treated is disgusting. There doesn’t seem to be any way we can get our money yet.

“We’ve just been knocking our heads against a brick wall. It’s ridiculous.

“At the moment Michael and I are £130 short on income a week. They have left us with absolutely nothing.”

Dave Brown, 53, of Stokefield, Pitsea, had worked for the firm for around seven years when he was laid off.

He said: “I haven’t been paid properly since February. All we want is what’s owed to us and then we will leave it alone.”

Mark Jeakins, former boss of M J Transport Services, said accountancy firm Wilkins Kennedy was handling the company’s receivership.

He said: “It has got nothing to do with me now, it’s with them.

“It’s very unfortunate this has happened, but it’s been happening to a lot of people.”

The Echo approached Wilkins Kennedy for a comment, but it had not responded at the time of going to press.