Workers facing redundancy stage sit-in protest at Kozee Sleep bed factory

Dozens of workers who have not been paid for a week staged a sit-in at their factory after they were told they could face redundancy.
Breaking news...Breaking news...
Breaking news...

Administrators were called in to bed manufacturer Kozee Sleep Bed Limited, in Ravensthorpe, this week and up to 180 jobs are under threat.

This afternoon (Friday), around 100 of those staff, who do not know when they will be paid their outstanding wages, occupied the building, between around 2pm-4.30pm.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

GMB union organiser Neil Cole said: “They are going into the second week without wages, and no reassurance as to when they will receive any pay.

“With bills to pay, mouths to feed and families to provide for, this is a real picture of Britain’s working families being failed.”

A meeting with administrators will be held next Thursday, but Mr Cole stressed that would not mean workers would be paid at that time.

Administrators from KPMG were appointed to the bed firm and its subsidiaries Restus Beds Limited and Hick Lane Bedding Limited.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The companies ceased trading shortly after the appointment of Jonny Marston and Howard Smith of KPMG’s restructuring practice on May 19.

While the Joint Administrators assess the business’ position and consider its options for the future, its 180 employees have been put on notice of potential redundancy and sent home from work.

Mr Marston, joint administrator and restructuring partner at KPMG, said: “Our first priority upon appointment is to assess the company’s financial position and operations with a view to informing our next steps in fulfilling our statutory duties, trying to secure continued employment wherever possible and maximising the realisations available to creditors.

“We are trying to secure continued employment wherever possible and maximising the realisations available to creditors.”