A Cambridge coach firm has been told to pay eight redundant employees – mainly drivers – a total of more than £40,000 following a takeover of another firm last year.
The eight lost their jobs after Eclipse Coaches took over Chambers Coaches Stevenage.
They all made legal claims for redundancy, breach of contract, the unauthorised deduction of wages and holiday pay.
The claims were made against Chambers Coaches Stevenage, Eclipse Coaches and Mr Robert Krueger, MD of Eclipse.
East London-based Judge Foxwell decided, however, that Eclipse was the responsible firm and dismissed the claims against the other two firms.
Judge Foxwell said he was satisfied that a transfer of undertaking – known legally as TUPE – had taken place and that awards needed to be made under the protection of employees’ regulations.
As a result, Mr Jones was awarded a total of £3,551 – including £2,543 wages and £753 holiday pay; Mr Melton was awarded £11,544, including £1,100 wages, £444 holiday pay and £4,440 for breach of contract; Mr Papworth was awarded £2,614, including £1,080 for unfair dismissal; Mrs Wilson was awarded £3,192, including £1,964 in wages and £616 for breach of contract; Mrs Webb was awarded £5,017, including £2,827 for redundancy; Mr Roberts was awarded £4,936, including £3,846 wages; Mrs Larman was awarded £2,022, including £1,100 wages; and Mr Large was awarded £8,046, including £3,885 for redundancy and £2,331 for breach of contract.
The awards also included expenses in some cases.
