Hundreds of former SSI workers, who were deprived of a consultation period prior to the closure of the Redcar Steel Plant, are receiving legal advice from a North East commercial law firm.
PG Legal has joined forces with Teesside Law Clinic to help more than 400 former steelworkers who were denied their rights to a consultation period, but appear not to have been included within the action brought by Community Union, in their recent employment tribunal success.
The niche commercial firm, established in 2011, is providing support to assist with both the research and practical elements of this significant case, which aims to prove workers who weren’t part of a union while they were employed at the company are still eligible for a protected award.
More than 250 claimants have come forward since last Thursday, March 10th, to seek guidance and representation from the University Law Clinic and the Team Valley-based law firm, whose campaign is also being strongly backed by Labour MP for Redcar, Anna Turley.
The forward-thinking firm’s experienced team is also helping by training and investing in students at Teesside University Law School, where PG Legal consultant, Andrew Perriman, is a senior lecturer.
He said: “What’s great about the work PG Legal is doing with Teesside Law Clinic is that it’s helping the people of Teesside who were badly affected by the closure of SSI, while also helping students with education and employability skills.
“These students are the future of Teesside, so we are helping to invest in the region’s future while supporting the steelworkers and people who helped to build it and make it what it is today.”
Director of PG Legal and head of its employment team, John Mitton, added: “The two main benefits of this work are the students getting a fantastic education experience and the Teesside community benefiting at the same time.
“We are happy to support this work on behalf of the SSI workers omitted from the union’s claim, particularly as the Law Clinic itself has limited resources and will closed during the University holiday periods. Our involvement allows a continuity of representation, which otherwise might not be possible.
“Our involvement in a campaign of this importance is what sets us apart from other law firms, as we pride ourselves on being able to help anyone who needs it, offering certainty in an uncertain world.”
PG Legal, which has notable clients such as ARCH, the property arm of Northumbria County Council and Work book stores, and was one of the first firms in the country to establish itself as a limited company, prides itself on its client centred approach, the cornerstone of which is fixed fee structure, is hopeful that the matter can be resolved quickly.
Mr. Perriman confirmed the application to the tribunal to reconsider its decision in the claim brought by Community union, to include non-member SSI workers, has already been submitted to court.
He said: “SSI workers who think they should be included within the application need to act quickly and get in touch with the Law Clinic or PG Legal as there is a real risk of them missing out.”
The innovative firm, with its 15 employees, has rapidly grown in the five years since its establishment and boasts a strong team of lawyers and an extensive network of legal consultants, including Mr. Perriman.
Any former employees who may feel they could benefit from guidance and assistance, who were not a member of the Union, should contact either Andrew Perriman, PG Legal Consultant and Head of Teesside University Law Clinic:Andrew.Perriman@pglegal.co.uk or John Mitton – Director and Head of Employment: John.mitton@pglegal.co.uk 0191 466 1080
For more information on PG Legal, please visit: http://www.pglegal.co.uk/
Twitter – @PGLegalLimited