Tuneless textile worker faces sack over off-key songs

A TEXTILE worker has been suspended after she sang out-of-tune versions of her favourite songs, including We’ve Gotta Get Out Of This Place, during a shop floor visit by clients to the factory where she worked.

Catherine Kelly now faces the sack for singing the Animals’ classic and other songs during the visit.

Miss Kelly, 57, of Hawick, in the Borders, was suspended immediately and escorted out of the mill, where she has worked for 16 years.

Miss Kelly, who helps put the finishing touches to knitwear garments at the textiles mill, said singing on the factory floor is a long-standing tradition among mill workers.

The machine operator claimed that singing helps lift morale among staff.

She said: "I have been working in mills since I was 16 and singing has always been part of the mill tradition.

"I do it most days and the other girls join in. Other favourite songs include Please Release Me and How Much Is That Doggie in the Window?

"They will say something and that will trigger a song and I will just burst into voice.

"For instance if I start singing How Much is That Doggie in the Window? one of the others will pipe up with ‘Woof woof’. It’s just a bit of a laugh and helps keep the spirits up.

"But I am absolutely tuneless. I will never be asked to join the local opera because I cannot sing to save myself. But I enjoy having a laugh."

However, last week managers at Johnstons of Elgin failed to see the funny side of her factory floor singing after a complaint was made during an important visit by buyers.

And Miss Kelly, who claims she is being victimised, was escorted out the factory last Thursday.

A four-line letter confirmed her suspension and she has been asked to attend a meeting at the factory.

She added: "I could not keep the smile off my face all the way home. But the next day I was angry and by the weekend I was distressed and crying.

"I was not the only one singing, but I am the only one suspended.

"After all, they have the wireless on in the factory for several hours a day so I can’t see the difference. The visitors were some distance away and I understand the complaint came from a staff member.

"The supervisor would not even tell me what I was being suspended for and I only found out later when I was phoned at home."

Yesterday, Tony Trench, from the Transport and General Workers’ Union, attacked the managers’ actions.

He said: "I asked the company if what she had been singing was offensive or racist and I was told it was not.

"If what she had been singing had been racist or offensive then there would have been no argument - she would have been in the wrong.

"But she was not and I find this decision mystifying.

"People have fought two world wars for the right of free speech. It is outrageous that such a thing can happen in this day and age. Workers are supposed to be treated with dignity and respect."

He added the union may start a grievance action for Miss Kelly against the management.

Willie Wood, the head of human resources at Johnstons, said: "The company's stance is no comment."