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ASTONBROOK JOBS TO GO AS WORK TRANSFERRED

21-05-2008

135 workers at the Birmingham-based housing association Astonbrook are set to lose their jobs after accountants Baker Tilley decided to transfer their work to other companies. Astonbrook, set up in 2002 by Somalian refugees, provides accommodation for more than 2,000 people across the country who have fled persecution.

The Stirrer revealed details yesterday of a letter sent on May 13 by the Midlands Director of the UK Border Agency offering Astonbrook’s work for tender to other service providers – a clear sign that jobs would be lost (see link here).

Baker Tilley – appointed last July when the Charity Commision launched a fraud enquiry into the existing management – initially reassured staff by saying there had been a “misunderstanding”.

Following a staff meeting yesterday, though, workers worst fears have been realised, with the confirmation that their contracts are being transferred elsewhere.

Here’s an email sent to all staff by Baker Tilley’s Bob Baker:

"As you may be aware the Interim Managers [Baker Tilley] met with the Home Office on Friday.

"The purpose of the meeting was to agree a way forward in the context of concerns that the Home Office had about performance and the reducing number of service users which has had an adverse affect on the viabilty of the contracts.

"After considerable debate there remained only two realistic options available either termination of the contract or for the transition to new providers.

"Our concern was that if the contract was terminated the service users could be vunerable and that potentially Astonbrook would cease operations with the relevant consequences for employees.

"Accordingly we agreed that transition was the more favourable way forward with a planned transfer to new providers thus reducing the risk to the service users whilst optimising the prospect of staff transferring.

"Whilst we all recognise that the outcome is not what anyone would want it is the Interim Managers view that this is the only realistic way forward

"The staff meeting had a full debate on the issues and elected a working party to help with the communication and it is planned that meetings will take place with these representatives on a regular basis. In the meantime we recognise that staff may wish to make their own representations to the Home Office and we respect that right

"To assist in the transition we have retained John Adams and Rodger Lawrence to work with the Interim Managers and Bob Bailey a local Baker Tilly partner is tasked with effecting the transfer. We will of course continue to operate through the Astonbrook management.  

"Whilst we fully appreciate that this is a difficult time for the staff we would ask that you support us so that the service users are not affected and to secure as best as possible your employment with the new providers."

The Stirrer can confidently predict that staff will not give up lightly, and protests - which have already been staged outside the Birmingham offices of Baker Tilley and the Government Office West Midlands - will continue.

Know more about Astonbrook? Contact editor@thestirrer.com