Carlisle Employment Tribunal Judge John Parkin has ordered a Barrow-in-Furness based operator to pay a former staff member a total of £2,380, after she made a series of legal claims.
Margaret White made claims against Clarkson Coachways – which had its O-Licence revoked last year – for redundancy, unlawful deductions of wages, breach of contract and holiday pay after working for the firm for six years.
Ms White was paid £120 a week during her employment. The Tribunal awards include £720 for breach of contract.
The hearing was told there had been no response from the firm and that there had been a previous hearing in December last year before a different judge.
The firm was formed 28 years ago by husband and wife team Neil and Susan Clarkson. They operated 10 coaches and employed 10 people.
In January 2016, following a bout of bad health, Mr Clarkson – who was 68 at the time –retired, with the company being run by Transport Manager Richard Hoban. He is a former director at Workington-based John Hoban Travel.
Since then, the company is said to have been gradually reduced to a shell of its former success and in April 2017 staff were alleged to have complained about unpaid wages.
Traffic Commissioner (TC) Simon Evans revoked the firm’s O-Licence in July last year after a string of health and safety failings and concerns about the company’s financial stability.
The firm was banned from operating and branded “incompetent” at the Public Inquiry.
The TC heard evidence which made up a catalogue of failings, including out of order safety inspections, inadequate defect reporting, routine vehicle safety checks not being carried out on time and a prohibition notice issued for a defective seat belt stalk.
Mr Clarkson said at the time: “I sold to New Inn Travel in January 2016 and they promised to look after staff.”
Clarkson Coachways could not be contacted for comment and is said to face more legal claims by former employees.
