News
B&T staff redundant as contract dispute ends in closure
UPDATED - All 287 staff at Butler and Tanner (B&T) were made redundant on Saturday morning and the troubled book printer is due to be placed into voluntary liquidation.
Staff were informed by a letter which arrived on Saturday that the company was closed with immediate effect, they had been made redundant and that an application to place the company into liquidation would be made this week.
A skeleton staff has been kept on to assure what B&T's owner Media & Print Investments described as an "orderly liquidation of the business".
The news comes just days after Mike Dolan, chairman of B&T's owner Media & Print Investments (MPI), threatened to close the company if staff went on strike next Wednesday.
The strike was due to take place over a bitter dispute regarding proposed changes to working practices at the firm, which MPI bought in a pre-pack deal in August last year.
Both Dolan and union Unite have pinned the blame on each other for the closure of a site which was once the darling of the book printing industry but which has suffered in recent times from the migration of colour book printing to lower-cost economies.
Unite said in a statement that workers were owed "thousands of pounds" in unpaid wages and deducted pension contributions.
In the statement, national officer Ann Field condemned the closure of the factory as a "despicable act".
She said: "Unite will be demanding recompense in full from the perpetrators of this despicable act, sacrificing people's jobs and livelihoods.
"Mike Dolan and former boss Andrew Hillman should be called to account for what they have done to the workers' jobs, their pensions and their community."
The decision to close the business came on Friday afternoon following negotiations between the union and MPI and conducted with conciliation service ACAS. The union claimed that during those talks it received no notification that the company would be closed the following day.
The closure came as a shock to workers, who, according to Unite, arrived at the factory today to find its gates locked shut.
Dolan said that shareholders in MPI had decided to pull funding in the firm because the union had not backed down over the planned strike at Friday's ACAS meeting. He added that suppliers who are owed money by the business would be paid through the liquidation of the company, and that MPI also hoped to recoup some of its investment in the firm.
He said: “It is a case of Butler & Tanner being illiquid but not insolvent. We had forecast a cashflow squeeze for B&T in April and May, which is traditionally a quiet period for Butler & Tanner.
"If it was not for the strike, MPI would have funded the business through to June when provisional orders indicated the business would be around 50% up on last year.
"Clearly the shareholders were unwilling to pour good money down what could have been a drain and they declined to make further funding available.
"The Union were fully cognisant of the circumstances but no doubt thought MPI was bluffing. Their miscalculation has cost 300 people their jobs and sadly, 100 of those people who were not even in the Union were vehemently opposed to the threatened industrial action.”
In a statement, Dolan said that MPI would aim to re-employ some non-union members in its other group companies, BAS Printers, Borcombe SP, Goodman Baylis and Friary Press. It also stressed that these other companies were trading profitably and were unaffected by the closure of B&T.
Dolan said: "We have a tremendously capable and loyal sales, customer service and administrative staff for whom this is a crushing blow which they did everything to avoid.
"We have no interest in taking the business of B&T into any of our other sites because of the TUPE obligations, but we will make every effort to assist these good people in any way we can."
A meeting of union members is planned for Tuesday.
Dolan claimed shareholders of B&T owner MPI decided to pull funding
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Comments
Stuart North - 27 April 2008
According to security guards on the main front gate at Butler and Tanner( on Saturday morning ) they were told they would be required to work at the site this weekend, on Tuesday 22nd of April. This was the day the union and ACAS advisors were waiting all day in Bristol for Mike Dolan to arrive. Regular reports from Butler and Tanner staff indicated that Dolan was seen walking around the site in Frome with a stranger holding a clipboard that day. This stranger was apparently a security advisor and was seen inspecting gates etc. I believe Dolan is telling porkie pies yet again and that he had planned to shut down the company much earlier than he has suggested. I believe he just wanted the workforce to work right up to the last day before monthly salaries were due to be paid and then announce redundancies for the entire workforce, and then state that he couldn't pay the wages. In my opinion Dolan is a crook and a fraudster, and all the accounts at MPI need a close inspection by the serious fraud squad.
Ian Humphreys - 27 April 2008
Can Unite take Dolan to court for his wilful and single-handed destruction of B&T'S?
can anybody answer?
We need his come-uppance!
We deserve justice!
He should never be allowed to destroy anyone else's livelihoods like he has destroyed ours!!!!!!!!!!!
Stuart North - 27 April 2008
I have reported Mike Dolan and MPI to the serious fraud office after being informed of several counts of suspicious financial transactions leading up to the redundancy notices.
Stuart North - 27 April 2008
Can I make a plea to all the office staff at Butler and Tanner to report any suspicious financial activities to the union in order to add to the case we are building against MPI. You have been shown no respect or loyalty from MPI so if you have information, evidence or merely suspect any illegal financial activity now is the time to come forward and blow the whistle. Thankyou
lewis walker - 27 April 2008
v v suspicious....to be layed off 4days before payday stinks to me! in my opinion,dolan has no regard for humanity.future mpi owned companies BEWARE!
Clive Upshall - 27 April 2008
Sad time for all our families but what a relief to actually know at last, its been depressing people for so long. 19 years of service and loyalty counts for nothing. Time to look positively at the future???
By the way, anyone know if the charming message on www.butlerandtanner.co.uk was set up yesterday? I quote:
"If you haven't been given a link, go away you ain't welcome."
Nice eh?
Ian Humphreys - 27 April 2008
THANKS STUART!
You are doing us proud. I'm glad and probably many others are as well that you have reported Dolan to the Serious Fraud Squad. I hope like yourself that the management will stop being scared to open their mouths and tell you what they know, because they must realise by now how brainwashed they were. We are now hopefully united on one front and that is to defeat Dolan and get what we rightfully deserve.
Martin Davies - 27 April 2008
wonder how dolan feels to day most the staff are worried sick while that bastard is probally spendin our pension money. to all our staff dont let dolan get u down.chins up c u all tuesday at football club.phil horler mart davies metal and craig dredge
gary lucas - 27 April 2008
1st things first, Many Thanks to all Unions Reps. In my opinion, its a crying shame or would that be 'SHAM' that Mr Dolan has managed to ruin a company in such a short space of time. Even the previous Board didnt manage it that quick? Loyalty counts nothing, I fail to see how he has cheek to accuse the workforce of going on a go-slow when he has starved B&T's of materials to do the jobs in the 1st place. He has demoralised a good workforce who worked hard when they thought he was going to be the company's savour and then thanked them with nothing but a kick in the teeth. Everytime unions made an offer to reduce costs it wasn't enough, more offers then Dolan moves goal posts again, and again, again until finally we have nothing to give. I hope you lose as much sleep as all the workers have, In my opinion you are nothing but a crook wearing a collar but beneath your true colours have shown through.
Martin Davies - 27 April 2008
where are pension money mike please answer that
allan kerr - 27 April 2008
Hi,
Firstly I hope that all former members of the B&T staff find suitable employment quickly. I don't know anyone envolved on either side of the fence but as a company director who has recently aquired 3 companies in the area I can relate to both sides of the argument. The 1st company I aquired in the south west was in administration and I believe MPI was also looking at the firm, the workforce there were and still are very supportive, they have not had payrises in the past year however we have as a company invested in new equipment where able and the company is starting to rebuild strong foundations, so much so that a further 2 companies in the area have been aquired, once again as a means to build on the foundations. Fortunatly I have always been able to communicate directly with the staff, without union intervention, and that has enabled any problems to be solved through good old fashioned face to face communication. As previosly mentioned I don't know the directors of B&T and am not looking to defend them but printing is a hard industry now and you need to look at the real problem's facing Industry now, The paper mills, energy companies, unions, print federations, banks, VAT man, TAX man, pension fund all want their slice of the cake and beleive me it aint that big a cake and if you happen to have a little left the goverment are hell fire bent on taking that from us.
I don't know what the intentions were with B&T and I don't want to second guess it, but strike action or indeed the threat of it was not the solution as we have now seen, I have always found that positive atitudes create positive solutions and negative, well you see where that gets us.
I apreciate that the workforce have for a long time tried to work to turn the company around and I am sorry that It has not worked out for you, but you are a valuable resource to a company and life is too short to work for a company that you feel is trying to shaft you don't get eaten up by anger remain positive draw a line under it and move forward get the CV's out there and hopefully this will end up being the start of a positive chapter in your life.
Ian Humphreys - 27 April 2008
Nice thoughts Allen Kerr
I agree with your quote ‘’ Fortunatley I have always been able to communicate directly with the staff, without union intervention, and that has enabled any problems to be solved through good old fashioned face to face communication.’’
BUT DOLAN IS A DICTATOR HE DOESN'T COMMUNICATE OR NEGOTIATE.
Do you fancy directing our company? (if we had one)
The Mighty wind - 27 April 2008
I agree with most of what you said allen especially in the last paragraph. I appreciate you are trying to be diplomatic and i think to be fair most employees understand what is happening within the trade. After all they are often the ones suffering the cuts, either in employment or pay. it is obvious from the posts that this workforce went a long way in trying to solve this problem but were negotiating on shifting sands. Often the truth comes out after the fact and it will be interesting to follow where the assets end up in this case.
It is sad to see some posts blaming union activity as the nail in this coffin as it appears obvious that they were used as misdirection for dirty hands
Natasha Porter - 27 April 2008
I just want to say to all my fellow ex B&T colleagues, it has been a pleasure. Maybe this has given us the chance to move on to bigger and better things. We are worth more, lets go out and prove it!
Ian Humphreys - 27 April 2008
Come on office staff , managers show some balls!
we would like your comments on Dolan! If you dare.
Clive Upshall - 27 April 2008
I may have missed it the first time of reading but the "updated" version of the article above, Dolan now seems to dangling a carrot to the office and admin staff, offering them jobs -I suppose to keep them quiet about what really went on?????? So as Ian says, come on office staff, don't let him try to bribe you, say what you know. You can't honestly want to go through all this again with his next company!
Natasha Porter - 27 April 2008
Please do not do the whole 'office and shop floor' crap. We are all in the same boat here, lets not forget that! The problem is, is that us 'office staff' do not know the full extent of the negiotiations, we only hear snippets of information from both parties. Don't tar us all with the same brush. We are just not so brash when it comes to pointing the finger. This has not come from one person, this has been a long time coming. We all knew that if Butler and Tanner did not change its ways soon, it would come to an end. I am just as angry and upset as every one else.
James Longman - 27 April 2008
Here here Tash. I work from the London sales office and I can 100% confirm that the only information I have received has been through hearsay. There have never been any facts until the letter landed on my doorstep yesterday morning. Personally, I think the Union have to take some responsibility, this is far too quickly becoming a one-man hate campaign when this one-man was everyone's hero less than a year ago. I know of nothing fraudulent but why would I, why would any of us. I have to say that in lieu of receiving no wages, I would be as interested as anyone to find out anything that can help us in OUR battle to recoup what WE are owed. There is no point in any of us bickering amongst ourselves, the argument is in the past whether we like it or not.
Henry Piecrust - 27 April 2008
Can you say,in brief, precisely what the changes that Mr Dolan wanted to make? What were the " working practices" that he wanted to get rid of? As JL says, all there seems to be is hearsay. The overtime paid to everyone on a shift if offered to one person is an oft quoted one. Was not the company losing its shirt when Dolan was a 'hero' and rescued the company? Preseumably something had to change in order that this did not continue?
Just seems odd to me that Dolan would bother with a company in such a state if everything could continue as it was.
Ian Humphreys - 27 April 2008
Yes we are all in the same boat and have been treated like mushrooms (kept in the dark and fed bullshit).
The issue which needs to be adressed
Where did B&T'S money go?
What money is owed to be to B&T'S from from within the group.
gary lucas - 27 April 2008
The overtime issue was a minor compared to all, most of the time, the ruling was wavered so that only 1 or 2 people actually worked on machines needed, this ruling has been wavered many,many times to assist the company in the last several years, it was wavered even before Dolan took over the company. The ruling was designed that overtime was shared out fairly amongst others that operate these machines and not given to everyone on that shift, as for people being paid money and not actually working (as one of the previous comments were made). I worked there 28 years and have never know this to happen also the shift managers would not have allowed it. The bigger picture remains that Dolan would NOT negotiate apparently one of his motto's. Hope that explains your overtime question.
Mark Hutton - 27 April 2008
The question has been asked "is one man responsible for this dispute" and, obviously, the terrible situation we now find ourselves in.
Having had the dubious honour of dealing with Mr Dolan i would have to answer - YES!
He advertised our jobs in the local press while we were still doing them in the hope of replacing us with people who would not ask for consultaton over their terms and conditions.
He stood up at two mass meetings guaranteed we would keep our wages and conditions then promised there would be no redundancies - both promises were broken.
Like the invasion of Iraq once he had occupied his position as head of the company he seemed to have no clear plan of how to move forward. We ran out of simple supplies such as cleaning cloths and soap. Parts for broken machinery could not be accessed as we were almost always "on stop" with the suppliers due to unpaid bills.
In my opinion we arrived at our present position simply because the man was not very good at his job. He has a personality flaw that renders him unable to admit when he has made a mistake and seems to force him to make personal slurs towards anyone who holds an alternative view to his. Witness the comments against Ann Field and the Unite reps over the postal strike ballot.
If the guy had paid as much attention to turning up for meetings and seeking a mutual solution to the company's problems as he did to firing off letters/e-mails etc and organising cheap p.r. stunts (buying union members out of their membership - i ask you!) we would have settled this thing within days.
For anyone who is set to deal with this man in the future i leave you with this humble opinion Mr Dolan as a company CEO = Unfit for purpose!
meer kat - 27 April 2008
cant wait to see doughnut i mean dolan stood up in the dock in the high court
Ian Humphreys - 27 April 2008
Mark...I salute you!!!!!!!!!!!
Mark Hutton - 27 April 2008
I have just watched the local news where Mr Dolan has accused the union of out of date '70's practices.
I find that pretty rich coming from someone who wanted the powers of a Victorian mill owner to impose his will on the workers at his plant.
Lets face facts Mike - employers like you are the reason that trade unions exist.
Kind of ironic really!
lewis walker - 27 April 2008
well said hezza........i think the office staff really have been kept in the dark over all this, and its time they knew the truth!
Patrick Curran - 27 April 2008
Having had dealt with B&T a few years ago, I find it sad that that huge name will be no more.
Perhaps one of the best litho printers out there.
With what I've read, I would wager that this man Dolan will offer 'new' contracts of employment to the newly redundant employees, doing the same jobs as before.......wait and see.
Though locally with the demise of B&T, Purnell, Alcan MSN, Colodense, Wiltshires, Bath Press and the other smaller firms the Bristol/Bath print industry has taken a huge hammering on the jobs front, at a guess upwards of 2,500 positions lost.
Any company looking to set up a new print factory - go there as theres plenty of trained staff.
Alas thats unlikely to happen these days, yet perversly the UK print Industry under the banner of 'Print-It' is trying to con school children to enter the printing industry!!!!!!!
Come on guys, the prints withering on the vine in this country, don't ruin any more peoples lives.
Dave Willis - 27 April 2008
Hi everyone from B&T, just to say what a sad way to end B&T's history. Luckily i escaped when the writing was on the wall! Having been made redundant before, this is a carbon copy of Redwood Press's demise under Mr Hill of Bath Press!
It seems obvious to me that this was planned some time ago. Buy the firm for peanuts give out a few promises and then shift the debts over, sink the firm and blame the workers/unions it's business i'm afraid and something Hillman would know plenty about. Just feel sorry for all the hard working staff to be treated like this and kicked in the teeth! Good luck with the future - there is life after B&T!
gary evans - 27 April 2008
evening to all unite members . cant see dolan offering new contracts to us because we belong to a union and dolan cant deal with them . who would go and work for him and mpi group .
m=making
p=possibble
i=impossible
steve hall - 27 April 2008
butlerandtannercorporate. co. uk/
has everyone seen that website i am assuming they have been working on it for some time and it is a different company name so...
i cold be wrong but is this one of those liquidate andreopen a week later with a similar name the same management and at the same company address
good luck evreyone from butlers
Geoff Marshall - 27 April 2008
Thank God its all over,thanks Dolan for not paying us a months salary for running your clapped out machinery to a high standard!!!!!!!!! just like to thank all the FOCS for your sterling work!!!!!.....
Dave Willis - 27 April 2008
Can't see it myself, may take on skills within the group, but the site is doomed surely? The rent's too high the production/output is too low people won't work like slaves for nothing. If B&T couldn't make money running flat out with no rent how can this knob turn it around? He can't afford to pay redundancies (voluntary) can't pay suppliers can't pay wages etc. It's a deliberate way of getting the companies name and work and disposing of the groups debts if you ask me. He probably doesn't own the machinery, can't pay the creditors (including you) which might mean you can only recover a small percentage of owed wages?
steve hall - 27 April 2008
i keep hearing about the machinery being cream crackered out of interest what was wrong with them?
James Longman - 27 April 2008
The Butler & Tanner Corporate site was a site due to be launched to promote the growing report and accounts side of the business. This will not be launched and is definitely not the new B&T, quite the contrary.
Geoff Marshall - 27 April 2008
String, rubber bands, and sticky tape on the folding machines,plus alot of good LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Martin Davies - 27 April 2008
whats wrong with the machinery!!!!! It would be quicker to say what is right with it!!!
steve hall - 27 April 2008
well i hope you guys did not wash up friday afternoon. lets hope 6 inched of dried ink in the ducts makes it that bid more difficult to flog the presses
Lizi Cole - 27 April 2008
I work in the London Sales office aswell and all I can say is that it is a great shame that it has come to this. We all knew that B&T had the best potential to get back to where is was some years ago. As James said that website was for the future and it is sad we didn't even get to launch it properly. Just like eveything else we had in the pipeline.
All we heard was hearsay (again as James said) so we do not know the true extent of what exactly went on with the unions and Mike.
After having a few drinks last night, which I am 287 people did!!, I wish everyone the best of luck for the future and who knows someone might even buy B&T now! My fingers are tightly crossed as we know we are the best litho printer in the UK.
Good luck everyone.
Clive Upshall - 27 April 2008
26 of us put in for lieu days, my day booked for last Friday was cancelled just because they wanted me to work another day for nothing! To add insult to injury, I even had to work to 9pm, after the letters had been sent out! My claim to fame - I was one of the last ever workers at B&T's!!
STEVEN ROGERS - 27 April 2008
Looking through all the messages I see that there is a Mike Dolan from Creative Print & Design hope that is a coincidence? I can promise you that the workers from B&Ts did produce the goods, when allowed. How many companies could ring staff on a Sunday afternoon and ask them to come in asap to finish a job because it was needed, iand they would leave what they were doing and go in. Thats what B&Ts had, that most companies would give their hind teeth for, DEDICATION- Don't you dare say we did'nt give Mr Dolan respect. Right now I don't even think he could spell it. He has left families with no money and yes we did earn it, we might be down but we are not out. Lets see who wins the next round. See you all Tuesday drinks are on DOLAN!
ian knight - 27 April 2008
after being with the company for 24yrs and an f.o.c for 10 of those it is a great shame that b&t's downfall comes down to one mans ego. i just hope that the unions solicitors etc can catch up with him and take him down as up to now he's done as he pleases. let's see what the "pied piper" pipes when he has our union and the law looking at what's gone on.
michael hewson - 27 April 2008
you should of fire bomb the place the houses could have been built sooner then
The Snake - 27 April 2008
Hello snakey signing in here. Dolan obviously had issues with the unionised workforce. If he had tried to be reasonable from the start he would've got the results he wanted.I for one was willing to concede a lot to keep my job but he was constantly moving the goalposts and was not willing to see sense.
In my opinion the government are just as bad for allowing people like this to be allowed to run companies into the ground whilst still trading under the names of different businesses.
The writing was on the wall when BAS upped sticks and left for borcombe press midweek. it will come as no suprise that the top BAS guy was ben croziers brother in law.
The whole situation stinks.
Mike how can you sleep at night after this sham of a redundancy.
You owe me a months wages.
If any of you work for an MPI owned company then take note.
Mikes way or the highway. And if its looking dodgy then don't expect your wages at the end of the month.
Also he has taken everyones pension contributions and they have not been paid into our pensions.
You do the maths.
Thanks Mike it's been a pleasure to work for such a good boss. All the best for your future investments.
Regards
The Snake.
Catherine Hirons - 27 April 2008
I, along with all my work colleagues, am extremely saddened by the closure of B&T. I personally can only feel for the late Mr Joseph Tanner who I am sure would be appalled by the way the workforce have been treated. I have never met Mr Dolan and have no desire to but all I can say is that he will never ever have RESPECT and TRUST, which I am sure is one of the most important things that could have been achieved from the employees of B&T at the outset. Maybe if these two factors were paramount things would never have come to this. I am sure it is hard to believe at the moment but we should all know that it is MPI’s loss and our skills will benefit companies who deserve us. I have no doubt that he will not continue to trade and certainly does not deserve to. I am proud of the loyalty I gave to Mr Tanner whilst he was alive and I hope you all feel the same. It is a shame Mr Dolan will never achieve the same loyalty, respect and trust. Good luck to you all.
Ian Humphreys - 27 April 2008
As I have wrote before it would be nice to hear from our management I'm sure they would want to express their opinion on Dolan, they must realise they have absolutely nothing to lose.
The Snake - 27 April 2008
Also the admin staff have been treated with the same level of respect that the shopfloor has.
everyone should treat each other with respect.
There is only one reason we are in this situation.
The Snake - 27 April 2008
True say Ian.
Lets have the opinion of some of the senior management!!!
Stand up and be counted.
Ian Humphreys - 27 April 2008
P.S Cath it has been a pleasure knowing you I hope to see you again one day take care x.
michael hewson - 27 April 2008
come on ian this is not a dating web site you know
ticking timebomb - 27 April 2008
i think at the end of the day we can all hold our heads high in the fact that we made an effort to save butler and tanners but at the end of the day it was always out of our hands.
Martin Davies - 27 April 2008
yes i feel sorry for the tanner family too well said cath
The Snake - 27 April 2008
P.S Ian it has been a pleasure knowing you I hope to see you again one day take care x.
The Snake - 27 April 2008
Kevin Sarney,
Ben Crozier.
Jeff Hayes.
Its not just Dolan who has sent this down.
What have they got to say about this?
Clear minds have you guys? Then give us your side of the story.
ticking timebomb - 27 April 2008
what about pete maunder,greg bird and others who have bled the company dry for years before and not acting when they should have?
The Snake - 27 April 2008
Any views expressed by myself are obviously based on my own opinions.
I would just like some closure on the matter by the senior management team.
The Snake - 27 April 2008
timebomb I agree. lets see what they have to say.
ticking timebomb - 27 April 2008
i think it would be easier to get an answer out of mother theresa than anyone of these tyrants
Mark Hutton - 28 April 2008
The criticism that the staff didn't get information from the shop floor reps is perhaps partly fair but in some ways unavoidable.
The union officials were so busy trying to get an honest deal (as well as in most cases also doing their normal work) that dealing with the dispersal of information outside of the chapel structure was a secondary consideration.
I personaly spoke to many of the middle management and office staff when the opportunity arose but found that they often prefered Jeff Heyes version of events as they painted a far brighter picture.
In Jeff's world Mr Dolan was "misunderstood" , Ann Field was "the problem" due to a "clash of personalities". In truth the man was never allowed to do the job he was employed for so wandering around giving out pro-Mike Dolan propaganda whilst drawing a nice big salary (bet he got paid) was all he had to do. Meanwhile, as the Unite team sat at ACAS, Mr Dolan was busy taking equipment out of the site and organising security - days before he claims the decision was made to shut the gates!
I was dismayed with some of the "you lost us our jobs" comments - i felt that i could not accept Mr Dolan's terms and voted accordingly as did the majority of the workforce affected by the changes.
I worked at B&T for 35 years and never once went on strike i was involved in union deals under at least four M.D.s and found that 99% of the time the union and management could find common ground on any issue (remember the quarterly consultative meetings?).
The facts will emerge in time meanwhile i would like to join in the comments that i have enjoyed working with the staff at B&T and hope we can ALL get the money and justice we are owed.
Henry Piecrust - 28 April 2008
The time has now come for Dolan and/or Unite to publish the SPECIFIC changes that were proposed and rejected. Not union or boss spun puff but the ACTUAL details. This will not re-open the factory but everyone deserves to know who was at fault here. The ex-employees are owed this much. Too much hearsay and retoric has been spouted so far. The integrity of Unite and Dolan will stand or fall if and when people can make up their own minds as to whether the staff were treated unreasonably and the alterations to their working conditions were unaccepatable. COME ON, THE DETAILS PLEASE!
Hugh Jaynousse - 28 April 2008
Congratulations go to Anne Field and her mouth breathing neanderthal cohorts. She has managed to put 287 people out of work. She still has a job and she should be held accountable for her myopic actions.
Mike Dolan and the MPI management team attempted to bring a 20th Century Dinosaur, kicking and screaming, into the 21st Century. Unfortunately, he was unsucessful in his attempts as he had underestimated the intransegency of the union.
Another own goal for Unite!
James Lewis - 28 April 2008
As an employer I cannot condone the actions of Dolan and I have every sympathy with the situation you all find yourself in especially in this time of financial uncertainty. Remember the saying "what goes around comes around"...
Often out of adversity comes opportunity - we have a couple of positions available although were not that local. Have a look at pro2col.com
lewis walker - 28 April 2008
I think there is a lot of excellent comments on here.We all feel hugely aggrieved by the ROBBERY of our wages,pension and jobs(in my opionion ofcourse)...i hope justice will prevail in the high court!
richard hughes - 28 April 2008
We do have a few job job vacancies here at Wares / Clevedon for experienced binder / sewer / folder operatives so any qualified staff feel free to apply and we will do our best for you. We have dealt with B & T on and off for over 50 years and this is sad for our industry.
MIKE MURRAY - 28 April 2008
Mike Murray
I am very sorry to hear of the demise of B+T although not surprised. Whilst undoubted changes had to be made to stay in business the B+T management including Mike Dolan were not the people to implement it. The workforce were some of the best people I have had the privilege of working with and I am not convinced that an amicable solution could not have be found. Thank goodness I got out just in time but I would just wish all at Frome the best of luck for their futures.
P.S. Any comment from Mr Sarney and co?
Gary Smith - 28 April 2008
It is a real shame that this has happened.
That said, we are on the look out for a print sales representative for our grouwing Print Management Divisiion of Redactive Media Group. if you have built up a sales client base and are looking for a change you can contact me on 020 7880 6203
Gary Smith
Procurement & Operations Manager
Gary Smith - 28 April 2008
...to add to that I know of another Print & Paper Buyer role based East Anglia...
Andy Smith - 28 April 2008
I was made redundant from Bath Press last year.
Good luck to all of you looking for a job in the print industry...there isnt much out there (not locally anyway). I'm still struggling and I am a web offset printer, now working in print finishing...I wish all of you all the best
allan kerr - 28 April 2008
If all the printers in the area could pull together and perhaps offer some temp work to all concerned I feel it may help. I currently own, Baskerville Press in Salisbury, Warminster Press in Warminster and BWW printers in Bridgwater if you send CV's I will see what we can offer
ticking timebomb - 28 April 2008
well apart from stealing peoples pension contributions its now become apparent that mr.dolan hast been paying the national insurance either
ticking timebomb - 28 April 2008
has anyone offered dolan a burger yet?
reggie reynolds - 28 April 2008
I have worked for B&T for 18 years and would like to thank the union for their hard work in trying to resolve this dispute you deserve a medal for all your hard work.I would also like to thank all the work force I have had the privilege to work with in those years IT WAS A PLEASURE ,GOOD LUCK TAKE CARE ,THANKS AND MOST OF ALL KEEP SMILING .What goes round comes around .watch out Dolan the country is watching!!!!,in my opinion what you have done is appalling.I want ALL money owed to me and I want my possessions back and I hope you and your underlings make some sort of comment to let us know WHY RUIN US. the above statement was the personal views of myself
ticking timebomb - 28 April 2008
reggie get on the picket line
Clive Upshall - 28 April 2008
Does anyone know if the Life Insurance contributions were ever paid in? Don't forget that you will no longer be covered now, and will need to make alternative arrangements
Amanda Tanner - 28 April 2008
I cannot believe this has happened. I am so sorry for you all and I know my father would have been devastated. His first priority was always the staff at B&T. Unfortunately I never met Mike Dolan but was advised that he was "a good egg and the way forward for the Company". It certainly was not possible to continue running the Company as it was before the MPI takeover due to lack of resources and I had hoped that the takeover was the way forward and would secure all your jobs. Please accept my sincere apologies that this was the outcome.
Please keep your chins up; you were an excellent workforce. I know things will not be easy for you in the current economic situation. Good luck to you all.
lewis walker - 28 April 2008
also it seems the national insurance contributions have gone walk about........is there no end to this blokes talents?????
ticking timebomb - 28 April 2008
amanda your dad was a good man unlike this tyrant i dont think anyone holds your family responsible they gave us an excellent job for years but all good things must come to an end just a shame that dopey dolan had to put us all over a barrel with our pants round our ankles
The Snake - 28 April 2008
Friary press were given 2 weeks notice today of either moving to borcombe press or all the way up to Worcester.
reggie reynolds - 28 April 2008
amanda your dad was a great man and it was a privilege to work for him. no way can your family hold yourself responsible. this tyrant never wanted the best for the company in my opinion
john peel - 28 April 2008
Amanda Mr. Joe was a true gentleman, it was an honour and a privilige for me to work for him for thirty years. Dolan cannot hold a candle to your father in terms of honesty, integrity and treating people like human beings.
Dolan entered the B and T arena like a knight on a white charger, he left it more like a horseman of the apocalypse.
As an aside it is interesting to see that an anagram of his name (Michael Dolan) is "Maniac Do Hell", how fitting
cliff white - 28 April 2008
Work is good
Work is what you make
Of it. It's at stake
But when you get
Opposition like this
Beware! Dont let
Them grind you down ...
Too late!
ginger dyer - 28 April 2008
amanda i worked for b&t for 38 years in that time i never heard one bad word against mr jo he was an all time great, a true gent had time for everyone. im just glad hes not with us to see this sad demise.100yrs of toil and sweat 1 day to destroy it
Ian Humphreys - 28 April 2008
I wander if delia, jamie & nigella ( i'll pick her up) will come and join the picket.
The Snake - 28 April 2008
Well Mike, I hope the rumours are true and your suppliers stop supplying your other companies whilst you have racked up massive debts under B&T name.
lewis walker - 28 April 2008
booooooooooooooooooo booooooooooooo
Clive Upshall - 28 April 2008
My wife's fascinated with the Michael Dolan anagrams:
"CLAIM DOLE - NAH!"
"CO. HAD ALL MINE"
lewis walker - 28 April 2008
arnt the police interested in mr dolans antics regarding 1. our jobs(wrongful dissmisal),2. our pension(no final transaction), and now 3. our ni contributions?....he involved the police in our supposed scuppered ballot....and now he has shafted friary press.....never saw that one coming...........
Martin Davies - 28 April 2008
Amanda Mr Tanner a true gentleman in the premier
league mike dolan in sunday morning pub league
STEVEN ROGERS - 28 April 2008
Amanda you have no need to worry. Everyone who knew your father knew what a kind gentleman he was. Your family where a privelige to work for, he would never have treated people with the utter disrespect this man has. Thank you for your support
ticking timebomb - 29 April 2008
dolan and mr.burns seperated at birth?
reggie reynolds - 29 April 2008
Having heard Mr Dolans interview that he made to radio Bristol saying "the government will pay the salaries" leaves me believing that in my opinion Mr Dolan has stolen money from the whole country and not just the B&T employees. In my opion he let the employees continue working the whole month knowing that he would not pay them and then expects the government to pay out what he should. I also find his redundancy letter insulting, to imply that the employees are not getting paid because they were unoffically working slow. This is a scandalous statement, my husband worked 18 hours overtime last month I don't call this working slow. What has happened to the money from the invoices from these jobs? Mr Dolan you should be embarrassed and ashamed of yourself, but no doubt you don't give a damn because you are just running a company, or not should I say.
Maria Reynolds
Ian Humphreys - 29 April 2008
Now kings will rule and the poor will toil
And tear their hands as they tear the soil
But a day will come in this dawning age
When an honest man sees an honest wage!
The Edge.
Mark Hutton - 29 April 2008
In my opinion here's how to run a company.
1. Be honest about the situation.
2. Engage with the workforce.
3. Remove failed previous management.
4. Talk to workers representatives.
5. Invest in the machinery.
6. Mutualy install new practices.
7. Move ahead.
Here's how NOT to run a company.
1. Lie at mass meetings.
2. Reward failed directors.
3. Refuse to deal with workers rep's.
3. Fail to upkeep machinery.
4. Force in new changes.
5. Don't pay suppliers.
6. Miss important meetings.
7. Leave all decisions in one man's hands.
8. Collapse!
It's not rocket science. Duhhhh.
very upset - 29 April 2008
why dont we all get together everyone family and friends and walk through the center of town getting as many newspaper reporters and tv reporters to be there, so we can keep this on top of the headlines and get as much bad publicity for this horrible spineless mr burns lookalike, as possible the whole country needs to know what this man(sorry men everywhere)is all about,
(in my opinion, of course)
reggie reynolds - 29 April 2008
good idea very upset and maybe some coach trips to the towns of his other companies. has anyone heard anything from Personal Belongings company yet, I have left a load of messages AND E-mails and have heard nothing.
ticking timebomb - 29 April 2008
good point was made at the pciekt lines last night our personnel data is still inside and im sure they will not be shredding everyones bank info etc....... in this day and age its important to the next thing that will happen we will probably all become the victims of identity fraud it wouldnt even suprise me if dolan was behind that aswell
The Mighty wind - 29 April 2008
good idea very upset
as ever the French laid down the guide lines for what to do in these circumstances, type in les Quebecors into google to visit what they did to try and save there company in lille [including kidnapping, check the photos out].
Seriously though embarrassing publicity is one way of making Mr Dolan pay
Dave Willis - 29 April 2008
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7372197.stm
Patrick Curran - 29 April 2008
From the sidelines, though from an ex-employee (a few years ago) it looks as if this Mike Dolan and MPI have simply run out of money, within the next few weeks the whole MPI group may financially callapse.
With the banks careful at the moment on whom and what it gives funding to then MPI will proove to be another casulty of the credit crash.
kba topdog kba topdog - 30 April 2008
good
kba topdog kba topdog - 30 April 2008
wheres our money dolan?
very upset - 30 April 2008
http://www.printweek.com/news/806132/B-T-Parliamentary-debate-plea-thrown-Commons/
go to this and have a look
brett mann - 01 May 2008
Just to add insult to injury security were letting staff in four at a time to collect personal belongings, and guess what, it appears they have some polish staff working on a B&Ts folding machine(MBO 7), thought that was illegal as job is redundant. Is there no limit to the strokes Dolan won't pull. Still, look on the bright side Dolan prison food has improved, and there is sex when you want it and sex when you don't!!!!!!!!!
Jack Sheperd - 01 May 2008
Hey guys why not form a cooperative and buy the company off the administrator, just make sure you do the sums.
any help get in touch.
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