Monday, April 13, 2009

one rule for them , another rule for us

Virgin Media, the indebted cable operator, has angered unions by unveiling plans to award its executives bonuses just months after cutting more than 2,000 jobs.The broadband and pay-television group has approved plans to award executives who meet qualifying criteria up to 100 per cent of their base salary.

Virgin Media’s move comes just months after the cable group announced that it was to sack 2,200 jobs — or 15 per cent of its workforce — to try to save money.The company has also recently raised its prices. It has been writing to its 4.8 million customers to tell them of a rise in tariffs and a penalty charge of £1.25 a month for those who opt to continue receiving a paper bill.

Grace Mitchell, of the Communication Workers Union, said: “At a time when people are losing their jobs and there is a lot of uncertainty, the executives should be taking a lead and looking to forgo these bonuses.”

Neil Berkett, the group’s New Zealand-born chief executive, said: “Clearly we are watching the pennies and keeping the costs low.”

Yes , obviously for us lowly minions but when it comes to the bosses , always the same old story .

2 comments:

Hermes said...

What a complete and total non story - the bonuses are for all the company's permanent employees as per their 2009 bonus scheme. And 2008. And 2007. And 2006. And 2005. And, and, and. Like all companies in the telco market they have bonus schemes - this is not fat cats filling their pockets.

ajohnstone said...

"...staff covered by the scheme could receive between 5pc and 100pc of their base salary in bonuses, depending on seniority and performance...The bonus plan will affect around half of Virgin Media's employees"

Note the word seniority . Care to say how many on the lower rungs will be receiving 100% bonus or the more likely the 5%. Senior executives, such as CEO Neil Berkett, can expect to receive a bonus equivalent to up to 100% of their salary.
Berkett’s recorded salary for 2007 was $850,723, which was further enhanced by share options in the NASDAQ quoted company.You may not call him a fat cat but i'd describe him as a plump pussy