NEWS
IN BRIEF
All Leisure Group
suffers in recession
All Leisure Group has reported
a fall in profits of 69% to £2.7
million from £8.8 million in
2008. Pre-tax profits were
£2.6 million, down from £9.1
million in 2008. Turnover rose
by 9% to £73.6 million from
£67.5 million in 2008 for the
year ending October 2009.
Ripper victim’s son to
speak at Advantage
Just a Boy author Richard
McCann will speak at the
Advantage Conference in
Lucerne, Switzerland, in May.
McCann’s book about his life
as the son of the first victim of
Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe
sold nearly 400,000 copies.
Wild Frontiers buys
Silk Road and Beyond
Adventure travel company
Wild Frontiers has acquired
luxury tailor-made specialist
tour operator Silk Road and
Beyond, which specialises in
bespoke luxury holidays to
Asia and North Africa.
10 | Travel Weekly | January 29 2010
Ex-Globespan staff
eye tribunal action
EXCLUSIVE
Chloe Berman
Disgruntled former Globespan
employees could take their
case to an employment
tribunal after they lost their
jobs a week before Christmas.
Globespan’s 650 full-time
staff, including cabin crew,
ground staff and check-in
clerks, were left unemployed
when the airline failed in
December 2009.
Independent consultant and
ex-trade union official Mark
Irvine, who writes the Action 4
Equality Scotland blog, set up
a meeting in Edinburgh this
month after receiving enquiries
from the airline’s workers.
He said former Globespan
staff could claim for a protective
award, which occurs when
more than 20 workers lose
their jobs without notice or
consultation. Companies are
still obliged to consult a representative
of employees, such
as a trade union, if they expect
to enter administration.
If the employees’ claim is
successful, the award, which
could be for up to 90 days’ pay,
would be likely to be paid by
the government rather than
the administrator.
Irvine said: “By all accounts
the entire Globespan workforce
was dumped upon and
no one knew in advance how
bumpy the landing would be.
“As in many of these situations,
knowledge is power.
Most people are not even
aware they have a claim for a
protective award.
“They have to pursue these
rights actively.”
The Co-operative Travel is
offering those who donate to
Just a Drop’s Just Help Haiti
appeal the chance to win a
holiday to Cancun, Mexico.
The prize includes seven
nights at the Moon Palace
near Cancun for two adults
including flights from
Manchester or Gatwick.
The prize can be taken
any time between May
and October, although there
are some date restrictions.
The Co-operative Travel
“The Globespan
workforce was
dumped upon,
and most are
not aware they
have a claim for a
protective award”
Co-op offers Cancun prize as
incentive for Haiti donations
Win seven
nights for two
at the Moon
Palace
A former baggage handler
for the airline, who did not
wish to be named, said he
found out about the demise
of Globespan only through a
television news report. The
employee worked for Alba
Ground Handling, which was
owned by Globespan Group.
“I was watching the evening
news and it said that Globespan
had been put into administration.
I knew nothing about it,”
he said. “I’ve heard nothing
since apart from a letter from
the administrators.”
A total of 12 employees
attended the initial meeting in
Edinburgh, and Irvine expects
more to get in touch.
He said the former
employees might also have a
claim for unfair dismissal, lost
holiday pay, unpaid wages and
incorrect contract terms.
managing director Mike
Greenacre said: “It is vital that
we act quickly to help the
victims of the earthquake,
which is why we are
supporting Just a Drop’s
appeal.”
For the chance to win the
holiday, visit justgiving.com/
cttghaiti to make a donation
and answer the following
question: Cancun is in which
country? A) Brazil B) Thailand
C) Mexico. The competition
closes on March 31.
www.travelweekly.co.uk
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