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Workers locked out
Around 140 workers were locked out of a leading joinery firm yesterday amid concerns over their future.
Staff at Abbott Joinery turned up for work at 7.30am only to be told by two hired security guards they would not be allowed in.
Abbott Group, and its parent group Plastmo Profiles, went into receivership at the weekend and were this week sold on to a company called Sprint 1234 Ltd.
The Herald understands salaried staff, including many from the Eastbourne area, have not been paid for the last few weeks.
A spokesman for the staff spoke to the Herald yesterday at the joinery firm's site on the A22 at Golden Cross.
He said receivers KPMG had told staff the new owners were 'duty bound' to pay them but that staff had still not received their wages.
He said, "We were told we would be paid by Wednesday but it didn't happen.
"We had a meeting and the staff agreed if they were paid they would work under the new owners.
"Then yesterday representatives from the new owners turned up with two security guards.
"We had asked if we should come in to work today (Thursday) and we were told we should.
"The lads all got here at 7.30am and were told they couldn't get in.
"The security guards had been given a list of about a dozen names of people who were allowed on the premises.
"Those not on the list were asked to leave.
"Most of them decided not to leave because it is their jobs on the line if they walk out."
The spokesman added there had been no threats made by the security guards, hired from Gold Shield Security UK Ltd, who had allowed the locked-out staff to wait on site.
He said, "The security guards have been fantastic to us.
"We have no problem with them - they are just doing their job.
"Some of the lads have said to me they feel this new company has no regard for their well-being.
"All the lads want to know is if they are getting paid and when they are getting paid."
Abbott Joinery employs staff from Eastbourne, Polegate and Hailsham. It is understood general manager Kevin Reid, one of the senior staff members allowed in the building, has had brief dialogue with the new owners.
One staff member from Hailsham, who has worked at Abbott Joinery for 13 years, said he felt left in limbo.
He said, "They are not saying whether or not we've been made redundant. We're not walking out because we are still employed here.
"We need a bit of paper saying we have been sacked or made redundant so we know where we stand. We're in limbo.
"Everyone is going to stick together and at the very least get the money they are owed.
"We just want the owners to tell us one way or another if we're going to get paid."
Sprint 1234 is registered at Companies House as having its head office in Oxford Street in Manchester.
The Herald was unable to contact the company for a comment before going to press.
Abbott Joinery's office was also unavailable for comment.
An answerphone message responded to calls to the main office number.
Commercial vehicles were yesterday arriving at and leaving the premises.
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Weather for Eastbourne
Sunday 27 May 2012
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