GSH axes Harris office 30/7/14
Workers say they suspect the closure was decided some weeks ago and a recent consultation was a sham.
One shocked employee said: “Staff are totally disillusioned and unhappy with the way this has been dealt with.
“There has been no assistance to staff with regards alternative employment or retraining.
They added: “Several large contracts such as RBS have been lost to rivals.
“Customers were told some weeks ago to change the invoicing method so that it would begin at the start of August.
“This was prior to the redundancies being confirmed so it seem that it had all been
agreed before consultations began.”
Many are angry the firm offered not help in retraining or seeking alternative employment.
Public agencies like HIE and Skills Development Scotland have stepped in and are working closely with personnel.
Isles MP Angus Macneil said he is dismayed at the “very sad” news.
Mr Macneil said: “It is very galling for the employees and the wider community to lose these jobs.
“I have been in touch with GSH and will be again.
“I understand GSH lost a contract and the work is going to the other firm.”
The MP said that the TUPE employment rules -
Mr Macneil said: “The downside is the workers will not be Tuped over.”
He said it would be beneficial if the new firm would take on the redundant staff in Harris.
However, “it’s a very cut throat business,” he acknowledged.
The MP added: “I think employees should receive help to retrain.
He urged GSH and development agency HIE to “work together to look at the skills employees have and see what can be done.”
Mr Macneil said he had an “issue with employment law in the UK” and Tupe rules should be examined as the way they were circumvented “is not best for Harris.”