A Protective Award of 90 days pay, the maximum the law can provide, was awarded after the tribunal found that receivers Ernst & Young had failed to consult with both the GPMU and Amicus before announcing the redundancies.

At the time, GPMU deputy general secretary Tony Burke had said the redundancies, amounting to a quarter of the workforce, were totally ruthless (PrintWeek, 10 July 2003).

Burke said the result was a vindication of the unions decision to take legal action.

The behaviour of Ernst & Young was appalling, with many members dismissed at a moments notice, he said.

An official complaint has also been made by the GPMU to employment minister Gerry Sutcliffe, in relation to Ernst & Youngs handling of the job cuts.

Burke said the union was currently, going through the appropriate procedures, with representatives from his department.

The GPMUs pension fund legal advisers are to meet with ex-employees representatives with respect to Imperial Home Dcors pension fund, a matter that has also raised concern.

The former employees were based at Imperial Home Dcors Crown Wallcoverings plant in Darwen, Lancashire.

Crown Wallcoverings went into administrative receivership in June last year with the loss of 212 jobs.

The company appointed Ernst & Young as administrative receivers, after a restructuring of its business failed to leave it with enough adequate working capital to keep it trading.

Story by Andy Scott