Unite union set to take legal action against Monarch over 450 job losses

Union Unite is preparing to take legal action after around 450 workers were made redundant following the collapse of Monarch Aircraft Engineering (MAEL) this morning.

The union said it would seek compensation on behalf of its members over the company’s alleged failure to consult with staff and called for an urgent meeting with administrators KPMG.

Work at MAEL’s base maintenance business was suspended today and 250 employees were made redundant. A further 200 members of staff based in Luton will also lose their jobs.

Unite regional officer Paul Bouch said: “This is terrible news and a terrible way to start the new year for a group of highly skilled workers. Unite will be offering our maximum support to help those affected by this announcement.

“Unite will also be seeking an urgent meeting with the administrators KPMG and launching legal action on behalf of our members for compensation over a failure to consult.

“The workers concerned have skills that are in short supply and we would urge other aviation engineering firms to step in to ensure vital engineering knowledge is not lost to industry.

“Over the coming days Unite will be engaging with the buyers of the other parts of the business to ensure that our members’ terms and conditions are protected during the transfer process and that jobs are safeguarded going forward.”

The administration follows the collapse of Monarch airlines in 2017, and the attempted restructuring of the company’s engineering division in October last year.

Morning Wire has contacted MAEL for comment.