The Tribune

By DANA SMITH

dsmith@tribunemedia.net

SAVING jobs not dishing out compensation is the priority in the talks over the future of City Market says its boss.

Mark Finlayson said last night that negotiations over the sale of City Market to Rupert Roberts, president of Super Value, were on-going.

He said what was happening with Super Value came down to who gets a job and who gets severance.

"People seem to be very concerned about the money but on the other hand they want their jobs," Mr Finlayson said.

"I think it should be clear that if Mr Roberts decides to take people on then they will get a job and not the severance. If he doesn't find that he needs the services of certain persons then their compensation will come out of the money paid to us."

He added: "People want their cake and want to eat it too. You can't have your cake and eat it too. The primary thing we're trying to do is save jobs. If the jobs cannot be saved then persons would receive compensation."

Earlier this week City Market employees demanded to be told when their severance packages would be paid after a group of them said they were turned away from the company's main office.

It was claimed the employees did not receive money owed to them on Monday, despite being told they would.

The workers claimed they called Mr Finlayson but were told he was not in the office and that they would have to wait longer for their compensation. Earlier this month, workers claimed they were not updated on the status of their pension.