GAVIN PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR THOMAS COOK STAFF
The collapse of Thomas Cook has left staff and holidaymakers in the lurch – with emergency plans to fly over 150,000 customers home now activated, but with workers shut out of the company’s shops and offices.
The 200 staff are employed by the firm across Renfrewshire, including at Glasgow Airport and shops at Braehead, Paisley, and Johnstone, now face uncertainty as the Official Receiver takes charge.
With 22 destinations served by the company from the Airport, workers woke up Monday morning to the appalling news their employers were being liquidated.
Local MP Gavin Newlands has pledged to do whatever he can to help those affected.
Gavin said;
“The liquidation of Thomas Cook is a devastating blow for staff across Renfrewshire and elsewhere. With over 200 employees around the county, including many at the Airport, it is imperative all the support possible is put in place and help available for those who will lost their jobs.
“For holidaymakers, contingency plans by the authorities have been activated and Thomas Cook customers currently abroad will be flown home over the next two weeks. Anyone in this position should contact the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) if they haven’t heard from them already.
“I am here to help any staff, holidaymakers, or any other constituent who is having issues with any organisation involved in the liquidation and repatriation, and I would urge anyone in this position to get in touch with myself.
“Over 21,000 staff around the world now face the dole queue. I find that hard to stomach, especially when you consider a support package was possible and would have saved hundreds of millions of pounds in Government spending that is now inevitable.
“The UK Government and the Official Receiver must look closely at the actions of the main shareholders over recent years and establish why a company with an operating profit of nearly £100 million last year can become insolvent and cause misery for so many of my constituents and people across the country.”
The CAA’s plans for flying holidaymakers back to Scotland are available at thomascook.caa.co.uk
