'We're being chucked out the building like common criminals in a nightclub'
FOR each of the 36 years of loyal service Steve Peacock has given to BemroseBooth, he now feels they might as well be stab wounds in his back.
"It all counts for nothing," he wept, standing next to his wife, June, who has worked at the same firm for 32 years.
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"It's absolutely disgraceful that we're being treated like this. We're all good, loyal workers – they don't deserve workers like us."
And there were plenty of fellow workers, who had worked for the company for decades, who shared their pain.
In a statement issued by the company – which informed employees they no longer had jobs and would not be paid for the last month of work – they were not even thanked.
Instead they were told they would have to be escorted by security to pick up personal belongings.
Steve, 53, who lives in Oakwood, said no words could describe the anger he felt.
He said: "This used to be a fantastic company to work for, great people. It's such a shame. We've made so many friends here and now it's over just like that.
"We thought we had a future when they moved us to this site earlier this year, then they do this to us. They just don't care.
"I'm 53 years old – I don't think I stand much chance of getting another job."
His wife, June, let her husband speak on their behalf because she was too upset.
It was left to operations manager Paul Walker to read out the statement to his colleagues at the Pride Park building.
It angered staff that chief executive Jean-Paul Ansel did not make the announcement in person.
The statement read: "Due to the decision of Marks and Spencers on Friday, June 18, to stop dealing with BemroseBooth and the major problems we are facing related with promotional products with Carboni, we have no choice but to close these two activities from today, June 21, from 1pm.
"Unfortunately, due to the financial situation you will not be paid on June 24 as planned.
"A help and support office will be set up for tomorrow."
Cries of "it's a disgrace" and "he can't treat us like this" echoed around the car park as Mr Walker finished reading the statement.
One employee shouted: "We've been working for this company for years and now we're being chucked out the building like a common criminal in a nightclub."
Mr Walker said he could not answer any questions, claiming he had been kept in the dark like the rest of the workers.
Laser printer John Stafford, who has worked for the firm for 33 years, said he was "angry and numb."
Printer Jon Haslam, 46, added: "I've worked here for 20 years and I've never been late or off sick. My reward is being treated like this.
"It's a disgrace that we're not being paid. They can pay the security staff to kick us out but not our wages.
"They should hang their heads in shame."
Findern resident Mick Potter, 40, who has given 21 years of service to the company, said: "How we've been dealt with is disgusting."
Paul Dexter, 46, joined the company when he left school in 1980.
The graphic artist said: "We've given such loyal service for all these years, largely because it used to be really good.
"The previous management would come round and talk to us and take a genuine interest in all the workers.
"But now we feel we've been treated like dirt."
Outside BemroseBooth's Lincoln and Ely House, in Stephenson's Road, The Wyvern, shocked workers embraced each other and wept openly.
A group of women shook their heads in disbelief outside the front of the reception area and comforted a colleague who was crying.
One female worker said the atmosphere inside the building when the announcement was delivered was one of shock, followed by anger.
She said sales reps from across the country had all been called to Derby for what she said they believed was a standard meeting.
She said: "When they got here and the announcement was made they were told to hand over the keys to their company cars, their mobile phones and their laptops.
"We have been left high and dry.
"There are now people in Derby who are out of work with no money coming in."
Labour MP for Derby North Chris Williamson said he would be bringing the issue to the attention of Business Secretary Vince Cable.
He said: "It's completely shocking and dreadful.
"What's happened is a real shame."
16 Comments
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by peter kahn-jones, the smoke
Thursday, June 24 2010, 1:51PM
“judging by the look and smell of some of these northern monkeys id say that you are indeed common criminal. I own a nightclub or two and let me tell you straight , not one of you would be allowed in any of my clubs. Its a fact that people from the midlands have a higher expulsion from nightclub ratio per head than any where else in the country. so for that reason ..............................................................................................im out.”
by lord lucas, on the block homie
Thursday, June 24 2010, 1:45PM
“i still like bemrose but leaving to become a fake clothing salesman ( tommy highflier , stonefly , nikee) was the best thing that never happened to me . peace out”
by K. Hector, Derby
Tuesday, June 22 2010, 11:23PM
“I'm sorry but why is this Chris Williamson's fault? This is caused by asset-strippers, a bunch of economic right-wingers with no consideration for people's jobs or the company's history.
And to David Gale, you seem to be piping up a lot on here. Can you just remind me how many votes you got in the election? No-one listened to you then so why should they bother now?
To Steve Peacock and all those afftected by this sad event, hope you find work and get last month's pay sorted soon.”
by JB, Derby
Tuesday, June 22 2010, 7:53PM
“I posted this over on the main story, but I am just so mad I'm probably going to keep on posting it until I start to feel better.
Bemrose's behaviour in this situation has been deplorable. Not only are they allowed to make hundreds of people redundant just 3 days prior to their monthly paydate, they are allowed to walk away with the statement that workers must "file claims with the government" to receive their lost pay and any potential redundancy benefits. The WORST, most shameful thing (in my opinion) is that the directors of this company (1) incorporated a new company, Bemrose Systems, on June 8th, (2) filed an intent to appoint an administrator on June 16th, (3) did not have the decency to give notice to their loyal employees or pay them out the benefits due them and (4) all of this is, apparently, completely legal under the current laws. So, in short, the directors are traipsing off to Hull to run their Bemrose version 2 company with nearly all their same assets intact, but all the people who worked for them are left with nothing but bills to pay, mouths to feed and empty bank accounts.
Why is this allowed?? How is this great tax fiddle legal - what loophole are they exploiting?? And my elected officials had bloody well be looking into how to FIX this situation so that companies can no longer put PROFIT so far above PEOPLE in their equations.
My husband worked for Bemrose for years. There was no compassion or empathy from these cads. The statement they were read did not thank them for their service or say they were sorry that it had come to this. He queued for over 4 hours today to file his claim.
I still cannot quite wrap my head around the concept that this is all somehow legal, when it is clearly a premeditated move on the part of the Bemrose directors to duck out of their liabilities and walk clean away without consequences.
It's absolutely unbelievable.”
by ex.employee, borrowash
Tuesday, June 22 2010, 4:46PM
“I left Bemrose a while ago and I really feel for the staff who were treated so badly yesterday.
Trevor, the modern business world is in no way responsible for the demise of Bemrose. The fate of this once great company was sealed when they were sold to AIAC, a US based asset-stripper. Their main interest was in selling the Wayzgoose Drive site. Once that was done they put the two businesses at Hull and Teeside into another company name and the Derby business was loaded with debt in order to avoid the companies creditors.”
by David Gale, Derby
Tuesday, June 22 2010, 4:03PM
“Having witnessed the Derby North MP wash his hands of the loss of £Ms of savings inside the Council House, I have to agree with Rams Fan but perhaps people get the politicians that they deserve? A Palestinian told me recently that he thought that British people didn't really care about politics because they're not being shot at.
Until people care enough to think about what and who they're voting for, instead of allowing themselves to be spoon fed by the media reality show of the 'leader's debates', I doubt very much will change. Circumstances like BemroseBooth will just have politicians going through the motions and peddling the same old platitudes.
In the meantime, as an Independent candidate for Derby North, I'll be making sure that there is a very thorough investigation of the circumstances around BemroseBooth. You can absolutely count on that not involving me smoothing the waters for the Great and the Good, nor will there be any consideration for advertising revenue...”
by gary, easy street
Tuesday, June 22 2010, 3:48PM
“i know some of the people involved in this sorry tale and my heart goes out to them.this is what happens after years of BLIARS rule,hope they all find work soon because they have all grafted for these directors. good luck to you all,
.”
by lord oftherings, the real wayzgoose hall
Tuesday, June 22 2010, 3:43PM
“charles did you get the sack from bemrose because i detect a hint of bitterness in your comments.
i never used bemrose to print my christmas cards or calanders becuase they were too expensive thats all.”
by Jean Paul, Cayman islands
Tuesday, June 22 2010, 3:41PM
“I sympatise with the workers, I'm down to my last Ferrari so i know what suffering really is.”
by charles, wayzgoose hall
Tuesday, June 22 2010, 3:39PM
“trevor , im afraid bemrose had become a "fake" company. it got work in then subbed it out using the aptly named OUTSOURCE MANAGER to get the work done cheaply while charging bemrose rates to the customer. if i ever meet an OUTSOURCE MANAGER i will cut his hands off and then outsource him!”