The 15-minute call where hundreds of 'devastated' Brewdog staff were laid off

The 15-minute call where hundreds of 'devastated' Brewdog staff were laid off 17 minutes ago Share Save Craig Williams BBC Scotland Share Save Unions have expressed their anger at the way hundreds of Brewdog staff were told they had lost their jobs during a 15-minute conference call. Parts of the Aberdeenshire-based independent brewer and pub chain were bought by beverage and cannabis firm Tilray for £33m on Monday after Brewdog went into administration. But 484 staff were made redundant as the company announced the closure of dozens of bars which were not included in the rescue deal. Bryan Simpson, hospitality organiser with the Unite union, described the events as "morally repugnant" and said staff were "devastated". He said many of the union's members were worried about speaking out publicly. "Brewdog had not exactly covered itself in glory in recent years," he said. "They abandoned the living wage and closed bars last year. "Yesterday, staff were given 25 minutes' notice of a 15-minute call. Cameras were turned off, there was no chance to ask questions." Bars close and hundreds lose jobs as US firm buys Brewdog in £33m deal Scottish craft beer brand Brewdog put up for sale Simpson says staff were also told they would be given forms to apply for their pay through the insolvency service, which meant it would be "paid by the public purse". "I've been representing bar workers for over a decade and it is the worst mass redundancy I have dealt with, including during the pandemic," he added. Staff were told of the closures and cuts by Brewdog chief executive James Taylor on Monday. The announcement came after Tilray bought the company's UK brewing operations, brand, and 11 pubs. The deal saw 733 staff being transferred over to the new owners. But 38 bars across the UK which were not included in the sale immediately closed with the loss of 484 jobs. Brewdog has been contacted by the BBC for comment. Brewdog's administrators, AlixPartners, also confirmed that equity hold...