Weston Pier owner disputes ex-managers' claims

Former managers made redundant after the Weston-super-Mare Grand Pier fire have been accused of making up allegations about their former employer.

Weston-super-Mare pier owners Kerry and Michelle Michael are facing claims of unfair dismissal by five former employees at a tribunal hearing.

Claims include unfair dismissal, breach of contract and unlawful deduction of wages, including unpaid wages, bonuses and payments in lieu of holiday.

The second day of the hearing was held in Bristol yesterday.

Former assistant manager Robert Evans, staff manager Malcolm Wood, pavilion manager Thomas Sprackman and floor managers Peter Chiarletti and John Parker are the claimants.

They have alleged Mr Michael swore at senior staff and made threats to sack them during discussions about staff pay levels two months before the fire, which destroyed the pier in July last year. Mr Michael denies the allegations.

Barrister for the Michaels Nick Smith accused the claimants of collusion in making the allegations.

In their final witness statements, four of the complainants included a very similarly-worded abusive sentence Mr Michael is alleged to have said at the meeting in May last year.

Judge Colin Sara also raised the issue while Mr Sprackman was giving evidence.

He said: "That is more or less the exact wording as Mr Evans has in his notes.

"It is a great long sentence, it was verbatim. Are you satisfied it didn't come from the note, there was no collusion about what was said, no discussion of the wording?"

Mr Sprackman said there was no collusion. Mr Smith questioned Mr Parker about a series of changes between the draft grievance statement he provided his solicitors and the final version submitted to the tribunal.

Referring to the allegation of swearing, which that was not in his final statement, Mr Smith said: "The reason why it's been taken out of the statement is because it simply isn't true. You're telling lies on oath.

"Your colleagues sat round together and thought it was a good idea to put this reference in. You weren't prepared to put it in your final statement."

Mr Parker said this was not the case.

All claimants denied any collusion, and all but one denied that they were overpaid. Without bonuses Mr Chiarletti earned approximately £45,000, Mr Parker £42,000 and Mr Wood £30,000. The salaries of the other two have not been disclosed.

Only Mr Chiarletti agreed with the Michaels that he was overpaid compared to other workers in the industry. A further meeting with senior staff was held on November 24, the tribunal heard, giving staff the option of voluntary redundancies.

The Michaels had hoped to keep staff on following the fire, but said they were unable to do so when the insurance did not pay out.

The five men were given redundancy payouts in December, after being offered a 50 per cent uplift, but claim they were given little choice.

The Michaels were due to give evidence today.

Speaking to both sides at the conclusion of the claimants' case, Mr Sara said: "I hope you both realise this isn't a black and white case.

"There are opportunities for settlement, I would have thought."