[Guinness]

So looking around..it seems that a reasonable offer was on the table..no pay rises or bonuses for 3 years, reduction in extra pay for weekends and nights, pensions changed from final salary to what you actually put in..and no job losses! Current employees get an enhanced employer contribution to pensions and a lump sum of around £15k.

660ish of the 1350 workforce rejected the offer..which means around 700 agreed to it.

Yet briefcase union reps dug their heels in.

I'm at a loss here....

We'll guarantee your job if... you fall into line with the pay and conditions of doctors, nurses, policemen, firemen, care workers, plumbers etc..ad infinitum..or we will have to close the plant!

The majority see sense..

The union doesn't.... they only have 1000 or so members and see the figure of 660 as a majority, ignoring the 350 or so who aren't in the union as inconsequents, and tell management to get stuffed.

Result...no pay rises or bonuses for 3 years, reduction in extra pay for weekends and nights, pensions changed from final salary to what you actually put in..and probable job losses which will be kept to a minimum