NEARLY a quarter of employees at Wellington factory Relyon have been made redundant.

It was revealed on June 30 the company, among others, had entered into administration.

PwC was appointed to see the company through the financially turbulent times, but the company remained tight-lipped about its future.

The 82 employees affected were told on a video call they would be made redundant effective immediately, with no notice or consultation, on July 10.

Trade union GMB hit out against the large employer for the way it let go its employees, some of whom have given decades of their working lives to the company.

The union said it was ‘disgusted’ members of staff found out in the ‘automated phone call’.

GMB’s regional political officer Matt Roberts said: “This is a truly shocking way to treat people, and our regional officers and reps will do everything they can to support the workforce at this difficult time.

“We call on those hiding behind automated messaging to instead meet, consult and work with the trade union, to ensure a fair and transparent process, to explore all options to save the site, and treat people with respect.”

The phone call saw the majority of the employees affected dial in to a live chat, but they were unable to speak or ask questions.

A PwC spokesperson said: “Given the company’s financial situation, it was unfortunately necessary to urgently review the business to reduce costs at Relyon.

“Working alongside management, the joint administrators identified 82 roles which were no longer required while ensuring the retention of adequate skills and capacity in each division to meet the ongoing requirements of the business. 283 people remain employees of the company.

“The 82 employees affected were invited by email and/or telephone to join a live call, via WebEx, at 4pm on Friday, July 10. On that call, one of the joint administrators spoke to the employees and made the redundancy announcement.”

Paul Waygood had worked at Relyon for 34 years in a range of roles.

He said he feels angry over the situation and the unseen implications for those affected.

“I received an email that Friday telling me to join the WebEx call that afternoon.

“You can’t speak, you just have to listen while they tell you you’re redundant.

“We were given no notice or consultation.

“I had been furloughed since March. Most of were at the beginning before they brought back a skeleton staff.

“It’s sad because I may never see those people again.”

Mr Waygood said he had a bad feeling redundancies were on the horizon when the staff were furloughed, a similar situation many employees across a range of industries are facing.

He added: “Although I was given no notice, I had a feeling when I was furloughed that this would happen.

“I’ve worked there for 34 years, and firstly I was like ‘oh. Oh well.’, but then the more I thought about it I got much more angry, and sad to be losing friends.

“Now we have got to go through the government for our payments and notice, and they said that can take around six weeks, so it’s going to be a struggle for a while.

“It’s not a nice situation to be in. You see it in the news but you never think it will happen to you, you don’t realise the implications it has.

“No one is safe. Big and small businesses across the country, everyone is affected.

“It felt okay before we went on furlough leave, but we don’t get told very much. A few years ago it was more open, but not anymore.”

Mr Waygood is hoping to form a community of ex staff members to look into the circumstances and to figure out a way forward together.

To contact him email paul2dan@aol.com.