Unite secures £2.5m protective award for 700 former YM Group Yorkshire staff

Unite, the UK’s leading union, has secured a protective award worth in excess of £2.5 million at Employment Tribunal for over 700 former employees of the Yorkshire-based printing firm YM Group.  

The workers, who were employed at Pinder in Scarborough, YM Chantry in Wakefield and York Mailing in York, lost their jobs in March 2022 after the sites were closed without warning and the group went into administration.  

Through Thompsons Solicitors, Unite took the case to tribunal on behalf of the workers, where last week it was ruled that they would receive a protective award of eight weeks pay capped at £571 per week.  

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “It is obviously terrible news when a company goes into administration and workers lose their jobs. But Unite doesn’t rest when it comes to pursuing justice for our members. This case shows that.”

Unite regional officer Darren Rushworth said: “As this ruling demonstrates, workers looking to protect themselves at work, as well as improving their jobs, pay and conditions, should join Unite and get their colleagues to join as well.”

Finnian Clarke represented the 300+ Unite members in their ET hearing.