Union action to support sacked Chester bookshop workers

Jun 26 2008 by David Holmes, Chester Chronicle

SHOPWORKERS’ union Usdaw is considering taking four cases to an employment tribunal after staff were fired by email from a Christian bookshop in Chester.

The workers, who have more than 100 years’ service between them at the SPCK shop in St Werburgh Street, are unhappy at the way they were treated.

The Chester shop had been closed but a sign has now been posted in the window stating that it will open for two or three days a week in future with details to be revealed soon.

Chester is just one of several branches affected after the trading arm of Christian charity St Stephen the Great (SSG) was “placed into reorganisation” in the United States Bankruptcy Court.

A new company, ENC Management Company, has been set up to run the bookshops run by Mark and Phil Brewer, the same two Texan brothers who head SSG.

Usdaw has already submitted 15 employment tribunal claims against the Brewers claiming they were seeking to impose a new contract on staff, drastically reducing their contractual rights. Four cases relating to the Chester shop may follow.

Usdaw says virtually all its members have been dismissed with no notice, some by email, and have received little or no information about what this means for their rights and their pay.

Although the Brewer brothers have filed for bankruptcy in the US, Usdaw firmly believes these proceedings have no effect in the UK meaning the claims against the company can continue.

John Hannett, Usdaw general secretary, said: “It is clear that staff, many of whom have been long standing loyal workers, have been mistreated and many are understandably very upset and concerned.

“We are very concerned at a new company (ENC Management Company) being set up in these circumstances, while our members are losing their jobs.”

He added: “We will continue to assist all our members affected by this messy situation and work to rectify it as soon as possible.”