Falkirk council urged to pressure golf club owner over unfair dismissal claim
dailyrecord.co.ukA trade union has called on Falkirk Council to help pressure a local golf club owner refusing to pay compensation to a greenkeeper who was sacked 'without reason or notice'.Stephen Matthews, owner of Braes Golf Centre, in Maddiston, was found by an industrial tribunal to have unfairly dismissed John Easton, who had worked for the club for nearly 20 years.The tribunal made its decision in 2022 - but Mr Easton says he is still waiting for more than £22,000 that is owed to him. READ MORE: Grangemouth refinery closure 'of great concern', Falkirk Council boss says With no progress, the union now says it intends to take legal action against Mr Matthews, which could mean closure for the centre.In a desperate bid to find a solution, the union has written to Falkirk Council, asking for its help.In a letter to the leader of Falkirk Council, Cllr Cecil Meiklejohn, and chief executive Kenneth Lawrie, the GMB's Louise Gilmour urges the council not to go ahead with the sale of land that will allow the club to create a larger car park.The union has also asked for the matter to be noted if Mr Matthews, who also develops property, has current or future planning applications relating to Braes or any other projects.She wrote: "This refusal to meet his legal obligations is now risking the future of the golf club as we consider further legal action, potentially forcing closure of what is a popular course and social hub for the people of Maddiston and surrounding area."We clearly do not want to punish members or risk the loss of a community asset without pursuing every avenue and I am writing to ask for your support in this matter."The union has also asked if Mr Matthews, who operates a number of firms as part of the Caledonian Group, has
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