Picture credit: Dawn Foster
Dozens of former Thomas Cook staff have joined a protest outside the Conservative Party conference in Manchester today.
The BBC reported that they demanded financial support from the government – on what should have been their pay day.
Some wore cabin crew uniforms as the out-of-work protesters waved placards saying ‘Bankers bailed out, Thomas Cook kicked out’.
Former cabin crew attendant Si Smith from Manchester told the BBC: “We are all here, we expected to get paid today and it just didn’t happen.”
Married couple Colin and Louise Griffiths, were both cabin crew managers and told the BBC that they are finding it very stressful with bills due to be paid tomorrow.
Lucy Powell: “This should have been your payday. How is it they were allowed to get into such debt? Where is the corporate responsibility?” #cpc19pic.twitter.com/EuooZ1nv8M
— Dawn Foster (@DawnHFoster) September 30, 2019
Unite the union has started a petition, asking business secretary Andrea Leadsom to instruct the Official Receiver to pay Thomas Cook workers the wages they are owed.
The petition reads: “These workers have families to feed, rents or mortgages to pay. They have been thrown out of work without notice while directors have rewarded themselves handsomely.
“Ms Leadsom should restore some modicum of justice in the scandal. Pay the workers now.”
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham joined the protesters at the Manchester Central Convention Complex to show his support.
He tweeted: “Off to show my support for the thousands of Thomas Cook staff who should have been receiving their monthly pay cheques today. Instead they’re desperately worried about the future & need our help! Well done @unitetheunion for organising this show of solidarity.”
More: Union hits back at Fankhauser ‘fat cat’ denials
Jobless Thomas Cook workers to demonstrate at Tory party conference