STAFF at the collapsed maintenance firm Connaught have been left “shellshocked” after being informed of redundancies via a conference call late yesterday.

At least 45 members of staff working for Barnet Homes were summoned to a meeting with senior officials at about 6pm, despite many of them being out on jobs around the borough.

No staff were able to attend the call, and they were only told this morning by colleagues that they no longer had a job.

The message was sent out by the administrators KPMG, who were called in this week to handle the affairs of the Barnet Homes' repair contractors.

Jill Dale, senior works planner, who has worked for 18 years under Barnet Council and Barnet Homes, before being moved to Connaught, said: “We were told on Tuesday to come into work and asked to carry on as usual.

“Then we received the message, like hundreds of others, saying everyone was finished from 6pm yesterday evening.

“Nobody knew about it because they had all gone home. It felt like someone had died. I have literally not stopped crying all day long.

“The staff are devastated. We never thought this would happen.”

She claimed staff remained concerned for the residents who may need works done over the coming days.

She added: “We felt we had to carry on a service because the residents of Barnet still need the help.

“There is still a service that is required out there. People were calling into the office this afternoon as we were packing up and we kept answering the phones because it is what we have done for so long.”

Unions are unhappy with the handling of the redundancy notices and claim there was never a full consultation carried out.

Maggi Myland, from Barnet Unison, said: “Everybody was shellshocked.

“The chaps have still got all their tools and vehicles. It is blood curdling. If anyone had a broken window or something that needs sorting out, we don't know what sort of contingency plan has been put in place.”

John Burgess, branch secretary at Barnet Unison, said: “In all my time I don’t think I have heard anything so cowardly. This is truly awful.

“Members are still reeling from the news and we are trying to find out what can be done.”

Union representatives are planning to lobby council officials outside Hendon Town Hall, in The Burroughs, ahead of Tuesday's meeting of full council.