Trust comments on reported Argyle redundancies

[Tim Chown]

http://www.argylefanstrust.com/2012/11/07/reported-argyle-redundancies/

The Trust has noted reports in the local media indicating that the club is considering making up to 10 non-playing staff redundant. Both the Herald and the BBC have covered the story.

The Argyle Fans Trust is naturally deeply concerned by this news, and would like to express its support and sympathy for the staff, many of whom worked for long periods with either reduced or no pay during the club's administration in 2011.

While there is as yet no formal confirmation of the reports, the Trust will be seeking further information from the club when the first Plymouth Argyle Supporters Board (PASB) meeting is held with the club board this Friday. The Trust has three supporter group representatives on the PASB, as well as a number of individuals who are Trust members.

Whilst recognising that Argyle is a business entity and must pay its way to survive, we should not forget that many supporters have shown their support for the staff by giving very generously, and that large sums have been raised through the magnificent efforts of groups like the Green Taverners to help the club pay those staff who worked on during the dark days of administration.

The Trust will not make any further comment until it has spoken to the club at the PASB meeting.

If any supporters would like to express their views on this issue, please email the Trust Secretary, Linda Fleming, at secretary@argylefanstrust.com and these comments will be relayed at the PASB meeting on Friday.

 

[NorfolkGreen]

As a trade unionist, I wonder what Chris Webbs take on the redundancies is, can only imagine the threats of strike if Royal Mail did this.

 

[Gareth Nicholson]

Hi Tim,

It would be interesting for the Trust to ask on behalf of the PASB whether these redundancies were planned at the start of this season or before, or whether they are the a reaction to recent changed economic circumstances at the club.

The reason for the question is that if it's the former, while sad, it would be understandable. The ownership would have had a year or so to do a top-to-bottom review of the club's off-pitch staffing and taken action to, as Chris said on Twitter, 'get round pegs in round holes' (although given it's the role and not the staff member that gets made redundant then surely the 'round hole' wouldn't exist) or to downsize in what remains a very difficult environment. A sad and unfortunate but planned move on the long climb back to sustainability and growth after 5 years of mismanagement might be understandable.

However, if the redundancies are a reaction to a short-term change in the economic position of the club - that we set a budget based (PASOTI fact alert) on average attendances on 8,000 and that has meant we are now living way above our means, I'd suggest that the people considering their positions should be the ones who were advised on what that budget should be.