TUPE/Administration

Mrs_Optimist

Hi Plasterman

The company DH TUPE'd to was Connaught - I am impressed that you managed to work for them for so long, DH is surprised that they didn't go under years ago as some of their working practices (known as the Connaught way) were shocking. Lovells have apparantly bought the lucrative contracts and Mears are buying up some of the remainder. I know that Lovells have already turned their back on some contracts which were loss making and redundancies have occurred. DH has been told that Lovells have bought his contract and so he should TUPE across - problem is that all manner of Connaught staff have been pulled across to work on this contract in the hope that they will also TUPE - and there are far too many workers for the contract than necessary. Hopefully Lovells will undertake a proper consultation and know exactly who has worked where and for how long. My view is that Lovells will be shafted by Connaught and have to make redundancies due to the sheer volume of men being thrown on this contract, and so end up being liable for the redundancy pay etc because of this underhand tactic.

We are waiting to see if DH will get paid next week - he has been told to keep turning up for work, Lovells will pay for the whole of the month as a "goodwill gesture", presumably because they want to hit the ground running with these new contracts and need workers on hand to do that - without the hassle of recruitment.

One thought struck me, you presumably worked on a Local Authority contract - is that right? DH is a member of the Union and has been told that he is protected under the umbrella of the Local Authority (client) so his job should be safe. The work is still needing to be done. DH worked for Connaught for less than 3 months (thankfully!) but his previous employer, and on this contract (prior to TUPE) for over 3 years. Fingers crossed that you will both come out of this relatively unscathed.

If I can find out anything else from the Union meeting this week I will let you know.