Employees of the now-closed Cost Pro Supermarket say they are worried they may not receive wages and other benefits owed to them after being abruptly handed termination letters following the company’s sudden closure.

One staff member said employees completed their normal workday before learning from co-workers that they needed to return to the Woods Mall supermarket to collect termination letters.

“We left as normal. We were told by other staff that Cost Pro was closing its doors to come for letter,” the employee said. “Majority of us showed up back today, tonight, actually, to get this letter.”

The employee questioned the authenticity of the redundancy notice, claiming it was not signed by management.

“This letter is saying termination. It doesn’t say closure. It doesn’t headline this. It doesn’t even say who’s management,” the employee said, adding that staff were told the manager would not sign the document and would only stamp it. Workers were instructed to return at a later date to collect their final cheques.

The staff member also expressed concern about receiving outstanding payments, citing what they described as previous experiences involving another business operated by the same owner.

“We’ve had this problem with Mr. Duggins with his other establishment. They come to work a day and the doors are closed. As to payment of their money, salaries, or years of service owed, they did not receive,” the employee alleged.

The worker said employees with long service are particularly anxious about whether they will receive severance and other benefits.

“How are we sure that we’re going to get what is due to us, especially those who have worked nine plus years here?” the employee asked.

In its termination letter, Cost Pro stated that the supermarket had permanently ceased operations and that employees’ jobs had ended because of redundancy. The company said salaries would be paid up to July 9 and that a final payment statement, including any vacation pay, notice pay and severance where applicable, would be issued by July 17. Employees were also instructed to return company property by that date.

Source: Antigua News Room Cost Pro Workers Fear They May Never Receive Outstanding Pay After Sudden Closure.