A North of England laundry firm which made six black workers redundant has been found guilty of racial discrimination by an industrial tribunal.
The six workers, at Sheffield-based Abbey Glen, had complained to the tribunal, at Sheffield, that they had been picked out for redundancy because they were black.
The company had rejected their claim, saying that it was a coincidence and that race relations at the firm were good.
However, the tribunal, while accepting that there was no malice involved, rejected the company’s view.
The tribunal report stated: “We believe that the applicants were chosen because they were of Afro-Caribbean origin and as such perceived to be less reliable, and expendable.”
After the case, one of the workers, Gavin Gordon, commented: “We were good workers. We were got rid of because we were black. Now justice has been done.”
But the human resources director of Abbey Glen, Bob Crookes, said that the company was “surprised and disappointed” at the decision.
Levels of compensation will be decided at a later hearing. Abbey Glen employs about 200 personnel.
