Unite threatens legal action over printer's 20% pay cut

The pay cuts are illegal because the company has failed to negotiate with employees' recognised trade union, Unite claims. Steve Sibbald, unite national officer said: "We will be looking for a protective award, which could be up to 90 days' pay for each employee. Therefore the company would be better off talking with us." Unite has also questioned the timing of pay cuts, which follow a substantial increase in BGP directors' pay in 2011. BGP's highest paid director received a pay increase of 33.7 per cent, from £163,000 to £218,000, the union has claimed. Total directors' remuneration increased by 20% Unite added. Sibbald said: "These workers are already struggling to make ends meet. They can ill-afford such a massive pay cut. They are now asking how the company can justify such a massive pay increase for its directors and then expect them to take a 20 per cent pay cut."