'Shock and anger' from Axminster Carpets workers (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)

'Shock and anger' from Axminster Carpets workers

4:13pm Wednesday 6th March 2013 in Local News By Adrianne Maslen

AXMINSTER Carpets workers have reacted with ‘shock and anger’ as the trade union considers launching tribunal proceedings.

Community union, which represents workers at the East Devon company, said its members were devastated by yesterday’s announcement that it was going into administration.

They were summoned to a meeting in the factory canteen on Wednesday to be told that 300 jobs would be lost and only 95 would be saved.

A spokesman for Community said: “Community union members at Axminster Carpets reacted with a mixture of shock and anger at the sudden announcement of 300 redundancies at the company's operations at Axminster and Buckfast, Devon.”

Community said sources close to the company last week indicated that several new sources of finance might be available in the near future to see the company through its difficulties.

Speaking on the day of the announcement Lorraine Gaskell, campaign manager for Community, said: "Our members are devastated by today's announcement.

“Axminster carpets have been at the heart of the community for generations. Our immediate response will be to initiate legal action in response to the way in which the announcement was handled.

“Beyond that we will be working with all interested parties to try to find a way forward."

She added: "We are exploring every legal avenue to look after the interests of our members at this very difficult time."

A spokesman for Community today said they have now started to explore tribunal proceedings.

The spokesman said: “Community has written to the administrators at Axminster Carpets seeking authority to bring employment tribunal proceedings for a protective award arising from the failure to consult properly over yesterday's announcement of 300 redundancies.

“Further claims may also follow.”