Workers at Alan Kerr Motorhomes protested after they say they haven't been paid since May(Image: Submitted)

Furious Paignton workers protest over 'dealership wage nightmare'

by · DevonLive

A group of workers have resorted to protesting in Paignton in a dispute over unpaid wages.

Staff at Alan Kerr Motorhomes say they have “not received pay since May and have received minimal communication from the company about their wages”, leaving some workers in “severe financial distress”.

Shaun Mullane has been working as a driver valeter at Alan Kerr for 12 years and says he has not been paid since May.

He told DevonLive: “It’s not good enough, we’ve been treated terribly and bit our tongues for the last eight weeks and we’re not putting up with it anymore.

"We’ve got bills to pay and mouths to feed. We’ve set up a peaceful protest to let people know how we’ve been treated and it’s despicable. One of our colleagues has a four-week-old baby, he’s got no money. Another's behind on his rent. We need to be paid.”

In response to the pay situation, The Torbay and South Devon Trades Council has urged local authorities, regulatory bodies, and the directors of Alan Kerr Ltd to address the “crisis” immediately.

Krystal Murrell-Bourke, vice chair for the Torbay and South Devon Trades Council said: "These workers have dedicated their hard work to Alan Kerr Motorhomes, yet they have been left stranded without pay since May.

"To make matters worse, management’s refusal to initiate formal insolvency proceedings leaves staff in legal limbo - unable to collect their rightful wages from the company and unable to access government statutory support.

"We demand that the directors pay their staff immediately or do the right thing and liquidate the company so these workers can claim what they are owed."

In a statement posted on social media on June 2, Alan Kerr Motorhomes said the management team are “currently taking steps to secure the future of the business and is actively engaged in negotiations with a potential purchaser” and “respectfully ask that all customers treat our team with courtesy and respect during this challenging period.”

The workers peacefully protesting along Totnes Road in Paignton reiterated that they will continue to speak out until their unpaid wages are settled.

Alan Kerr Motorhomes have been approached for comment.

A sign reading 'Alan Kerr Motorhomes! Pay your staff!'(Image: Submitted)
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Signs read: "No pay since May"'(Image: Submitted)
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Staff peacefully protested on July 23(Image: Submitted)
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Staff protested on the road outside Alan Kerr Motorhomes(Image: Submitted)
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Staff said they have gone "months without wages"(Image: Submitted)
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