for the first time
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• In its first public move to explain its involvement with the crashed haulier Barnfather, AAH Holdings has strongly defended its actions over the controversial takeover.
The two-pronged campaign includes an appeal against the industrial tribunal decision which ruled AM-I Holdings was the employer of 14 drivers made redundant after it took over of some of Barnfather's assets last year.
Senior AAH Holdings management has also claimed that, far from criticism, the organisation deserves credit for saving parts of the North-East haulier's business. The wrong impression has been given over the amount of assets received in the deal, adds AAH.
The appeal has stalled another hearing due to be heard this week at a Newcastle-upon-Tyne industrial tribunal where 14 ex-Barnfather drivers were to pursue claims of unfair dismissal against AAR The tribunal had ruled last month that AAH was the drivers' employer at the time of their redundancy. The Transport and General Workers Union, representing the drivers, had argued that when the men were made redundant they believed they were "owned" by Barnfather although it turned out AAH had bought the assets.
But AAH is appealing that the 14 had been engaged on contracts that had been left behind in the takeover, so making "redundancy" by the company impossible.