Unite has released a statement calling out the treatment of many BrewDog workers during the company’s sale to Tilray.

The trade union claims employees were informed on a hastily arranged conference call that the sale would end up in 38 bars closing and 484 jobs being lost.

According to the company, Tilray and the media were informed about the decision before the workers were told.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is a devastating day for BrewDog workers. Nearly 500 lost livelihoods while yet another corporate deal is stitched together behind closed doors.

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“BrewDog workers built this brand. They deserved respect. Instead, they were treated as disposable pawns. Unite will not rest until our members have legal and financial justice.”

The trade union has stated that companies have a legal responsibility to consult workers on redundancies and will be demanding urgent answers on unpaid wages and full transparency around the sales process.

Unite national leaders for hospitality Bryan Simpson said: “For the CEO to tell workers that they were redundant with immediate effect, on a conference call with only 25 minutes’ notice, has echoes of P&O and is deplorable.

“Unite will be ensuring that our members receive everything they are legally entitled to.”

This comes after the announcement that BrewDog would be acquired by Tilray brands in a £33m deal which includes the global brand and intellectual property, its UK brewing operations and 11 pubs.