WATCH: Council Leader can meet Evanton jobless AFTER her Christmas holiday
"I can't offer any assurances" to 31 unemployed says Margaret Davidson.
Last updated 16th Jan 2018
Highland Council's blaming an Easter Ross business for its Evanton-based workers losing their jobs, after a local authority contract was switched to a French firm.
Former Munro's waste recycling staff members have been without wages for almost a month since being ditched for French firm SUEZ, which is claiming a law to transfer the affected workers over to the multi-national corporation does not apply.
The owner of Munro's says his company was only given notice at 22:04 on Friday, November 17th, and that meant William Munro's 31-ex-employees came back into work on Monday morning to find out that they were no longer needed.
"I'm leaving for holiday on Saturday...I'd be happy to speak to them after Christmas" - CLLR MARGARET DAVIDSON
William told MFR News: "They were totally despondent, and to this day they don't know what their situation is.
"Legally they are employees of SUEZ, but SUEZ have made no contact with them, so they're just in limbo - left with no income at all, all of a sudden, with the same commitments as any family, and I think it's grossly unfair.
"Our employment lawyer, although he has no obligation, has been pressing Highland Council and SUEZ to do something for the workers, and although we have no details at the moment, we believe that some steps are going to be taken to assist the workers.
"We certainly hope that's going to happen before Christmas. It's just ridiculous."
MFR News understands that legal discussions towards potential compensation are ongoing.
Cllr Margaret Davidson spoke with our reporter Bryan Rutherford after his Facebook video report (below) early this morning. It included one of the displaced workers calling on the administration's leader to meet with the group to give them answers.
Gracjan Dabrowski, 20, from Balintore said: "I'm not getting paid. I live in my house with my single mum. She's got two other kids - a brother and a two-year-old sister. Christmas is coming up, she only works part time because she's got kids to look after, and with me losing my job, I can't really help. It's a really difficult time.
"Margaret Davidson I would want you to provide jobs for 31-people who were left with no job unfairly. If she's in-charge I think she should meet up with all of us and tell us all what's happening."
Margaret replied: "I'm afraid I'm leaving for holiday on Saturday, so it won't be until after Christmas. I'd be happy to speak to them after Christmas.
"They need to understand we haven't got a magic wand.
"What I was hoping would happen is that, most of those men, if not all of them, would be TUPED over into SUEZ.
"Munro's could have helped organise that. Munro's had plenty of time to know when this contract was coming to an end.
"Munro's had every opportunity to plan for what was happening, so it doesn't all sit with the Highland Council."
"They need to understand we haven't got a magic wand" - HIGHLAND COUNCIL LEADER CLLR DAVIDSON
Highland MSP John Finnie has described the Leader's comments as "unbelievably crass."
Senior Highland local government figures had been preparing to speak with local media today about what Cllr Davidson described as "unacceptable decisions" ahead for local political leaders, as her administration prepares for a Scottish Government budget that's expected to be the "toughest it's ever been."
Yesterday Munro's site manager spoke out against the council's cost-cutting decision which led to the contract changeover. Deborah Lambourne commented: "It's upsetting. They've got families. A lot of them have been here for a lot of years. They're part of the community.
"They're pleasant, they work hard, and they'll do the jobs that some of the local people won't do. They're good workers, and they've been treated badly - it's not fair.
"No time is a good time for this sort of thing to happen, but right on top of Christmas is shocking ."
HIGHLAND COUNCIL STATEMENT:
The Council has awarded the new contract, in line with due Procurement procedures and best value principles, to an established contractor from 18 November 2017. The new contractor can process this material at a lower price and therefore provide better value for the public in Highland.
The Council will work with partners to mitigate any impacts on the employees of WMCH including ensuring that TUPE principles are applied and that advice and support are in place for those seeking alternative employment.