Seven season workers have barricaded themselves in a chalet in Les Menuires over a dispute with their ex-employer about non-payment of wages and travel expenses.
In protest, the group of seven have taken over one of the company’s chalets – the 20-person Chalet Georgina in Les Menuires – and have changed the locks. They insist they are not moving until their wages and travel expenses, totalling just under €4,000 between them, have been paid.
The group, David and Hayley Haines, 47, Lucy Anne Hayes, 21, Aanya Madhani, 22, Paddy Bartrham, 18, Angus Briggs, 19, and Rachael Smethurst, 22, were told of their dismissal by Joseph, the right-hand man to the owner of Skithe3V Mark Ridgers. Joseph read out a text from Ridgers, saying they were fired and would not receive any pay or travel expenses to return back to the UK, and had to leave their accommodation immediately or the police would be called.
David Haines said, “When we received the information on Monday night stating we had all been ‘fired’ we were shocked with the unreasonable, unprofessional and unfair behaviour of the business. Some of the group did not have the money to instantly move on and find alternative accommodation to stay in the Alps or the money to get back to the UK.
“As soon as we had been notified of being sacked from the company an advert for new staff was posted on Chalets Direct by Mark Ridgers. We are all hard workers and we were not paid for any of the work we have done and we believe he had no intention to pay us.
“Our main concern is to prevent this from happening to other potential seasonaire workers.”
To publicise their plight, the group have set up a Facebook page and are generating a lot of media interest. The latest update from the group said the local gendarmes had arrived and were trying to help the group as much as possible.
Earlier yesterday they posted, “'Just thoroughly cleaned the chalet, important to emphasise that this is a completely peaceful protest and that the chalet is tidy and clean.”
One of their recent posts reveals the positive mood in the chalet: “Great dinner, cooked by Aanya, with a good red provided by the ex boss. Spirits high, great music and some high jinx to come... will Angus get off with any of the girls? Watch this space.”
Skithe3V guests are due to arrive at Chalet Georgina, pictured left, tomorrow but there are unconfirmed rumours that these guests have cancelled. As yet, Mark Ridgers and Skithe3V have been unavailable for comment.
