An agreement has been reached to help non-union ex-Thomas Cook retail and head office staff to pursue protective award claims.
A protective award is for compensation of up to 90 days’ gross pay for failure by an employer to inform and consult over dismissal on the grounds of redundancy.
The deal was reached with the Transport and Salaried Staffs’ Association’s specialist employment solicitors – Morrish and Co – as a means to assist all former Thomas Cook agency and head office staff to pursue their claims.
However, the deal is contingent on the former employees joining the union.
TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes said: “It’s now well known that Thomas Cook went to the wall through no fault of these workers who cared so much about the firm.
“We have been offering a wide range of support and assistance to our members who formally worked for Thomas Cook and know how vital that has been.
“So it’s fantastic that Morrish and Co have backed our plan to pursue claims for protective awards for ex-Thomas Cook retail and head office staff who weren’t part of our TSSA family – provided they join our union for free until they find a new job.
“Our solicitors are offering to do this work on a no win no fee basis which will see our new members just pay an administrative fee based on 15% of whatever money is paid to them in compensation.
“However, the best part of the deal is that if these new members pay our union’s subs continuously for over 18 months within the next three years, this fee will be reimbursed in full.
“Of course, the claims of those who were our members prior to the collapse of the company will be pursued on their behalf for free.”