Hi
We were faced with a pay cut of 10% last August- all the salaried staff -but the MD assumed agreement of all staff to it as he was in the full knowledge of all the facts but automaticallly assumed all senior management would agree to it to help the survival of the company.
However not all agreed to it .
What HR then did - to save face for the MD - was reduce each managers hrs to get to 10% reduction in the salaried staff wages .
Senior Managers never worked 40 hrs /wk anyway & did what was necessary to do the job.Always longer than 39- 40hrs /wk.
My employer reduced our working hours as a means of reducing wages. We were told to accept this or else they would cut the hourly rate of pay instead. This was all done with out any agreement. The union's position, which I understand, is that if you don't accept it what do you do next - go on strike. Employers, whether they are in real trouble or just jumping on the band wagon hold all the aces and we just have to accept it - for the time being.
eoghanlk has it just about right for the moment the Employers have the upperhand its all about "supply and demand" It should'nt be but it is in most cases
I may be a little late in replying to this thread but I came across it while searching for information on exactly that subject. My partner was informed last week that he and all the people who work for his employer would be having their wages slashed to minimum wage. He wasn't on great money anyway but he really likes his work and has been in employment with this company for almost 5 years!
He was informed by email, no consultation with him or others and he's at a loss to what to do next. This pay deal came into effect on aug 1st and he was only aware of it since monday earlier this week (5days notice).
People are shrugging their shoulders as if to say well, that's it but I sure as hell don't accept it as it puts us in a terrible position financially so we're searching for information for anyone who can help. So if you know anyone.....?