News

Mark Hutton - 30 April 2008

I would have thought it was a highly appropriate topic for debate. It seems that rich businessment can tap into the assets of the country to pay for their own errors.

In my view the ninety day consultation process has not been followed therefore it would be good practise to have a law whereby anyone bypassing this period who had other companies still trading would have to to pay monies owed from their own assets.

This would make these fat-cats think twice before inflicting on others the kind of treatment my workmates and myself have had to endure.

I notice that old quotes from Mr Dolan are now being used as he does not seem to have the courage to show his face and explain his behaviour to the press.

The Union (whom "Montgomery" Dolan blames for the demise of the company") have not hesitated to defend their position in public at all times!

Clive Keeble - 30 April 2008

Judging by the above comments from Mike Dolan, are PrintWeek readers to assume that administrators have been appointed to Butler & Tanner Printers Limited ?

If so, just for the public record, who are they ???

Clive Keeble - 30 April 2008

Suggested reading

http://www.thebookseller.com/news/57764-printing-chaos-after-bt-collapse.html

kba topdog kba topdog - 30 April 2008

wheres my money dolan?????

Julie Cook - 30 April 2008

Hi to the staff @ B&T I'm so sorry for what you must be going through. I've been through it many times before. I'd just like to know how can someone buy a 30million pound business for £160,000 from the administators, and how Mike Dolan has said the forward loading for April was £2 million but only £250,000 worth of work was produced, that's only £625 worth of work per employee over the month.

We're a tiny firm in comparison but we take £220,000 per month and there's only 5 of us here.

The Hadron collider - 30 April 2008

Well done Mike!

Ian Humphreys - 30 April 2008

Julie the work was being despatched to other companies and being charged at a premium rate to B&T to make us suffer bigger loses.

Why would the chairman do this?

we all knew this was happening but could do sod all about it, because how do you approach a man like Dolan?

kba topdog kba topdog - 30 April 2008

v true ian.....some other companies were charging up to 3 times the standard rates to print or bind b&ts work and dolan was happy to pay it purely to fast track us into administration(in my opinion),knowing they would just be another creditor....the police are coming mike!!!!

Jon Fennell - 30 April 2008

The union screwed you over and you all jumped on the wagon. The membership has as much to do with B&T's demise as anyone else.

From the outside work was moved to sub contractors to try and safeguard the clients interests, with a pending dispute and no sign of sense being shown, why would a client or management at B&T risk orders being made hostage.

As this dispute was so public it is also likely client cancelled the orders in order to safeguard themselves, why would anyone place business with a troubled company.

It also appears there was an amount of leaning on chapel members, comments made over the week in this blog show this, how many were intimidated into voting for action?

The membership were also probably advised by the branch that the management was bluffing, but mis calcualted on the commercial position of the business, or were saving the face of the union.

The actions of dispute show an unwillingness of the chapel to accept commercial change necessary for investment to be made and thinning out of the cost base that were needed to make the company competitive in a fierce market.

Dolan may not have handled this transition effectively but the needs of the business would still be the same. Mother Theresa would still have had the same problem.

Cradley Print died for the same reasons. Instead of blaming the 'the fat cats', look closer to home. The fat cats are fat because they know how to make a business work, why throw good investment at a business that refuses to change.

If the comments made are correct and a £30m business is bought for £160k, there is a reason and this has more to do with the state of the company and debt it is carrying, turnover means nothing,

Quebecor at Corby were more worthy of debate, unlike B&T they tried to help the business, and their management were as much in the dark as shop floor. At least they went down trying.

The Hadron collider - 01 May 2008

haha yes ok fennel the union screwed us over.

i've got a spot going at glastonbury in the comedy tent, you'd go down a treat.

Mark Hutton - 01 May 2008

Jon the shop floor workers, through the union, offered Mr Dolan a 5% wage cut (on top of a previous 8% wage cut) changes to hours, overtime payments, downmanning, flexible staffing and co-operation with the instalation of new management systems.

The deal fell apart because Mr Dolan insisted we sign draconian commercial contracts inappropriate to a manufacturing operation.

Instead of the usual disciplinary code i.e. verbal then written warnings and the sack we could have been sued for mistakes made during the manufacturing process.

Unite has asked Mr Dolan to provide evidence of members being "leant on", as he has claimed, so far this evidence has NOT appeared.

We were very aware of the needs of the business but in my opinion there was no will on Mike Dolans part to procure a settlement and he may have had some other reason for forcing it into liquidation whilst holding on to unpaid pension contributions etc.

The sub text is that, i believe, Mr Dolan feels that if he flings enough muck in the unions direction he can save his own tarnished reputation.

As for going public - it seemed it was ok for Mr D to use bullying tactics and insulting communications to our members but not for us to let the world know about it!

ticking timebomb - 01 May 2008

oi fennel you on dolans books as well?

reggie reynolds - 01 May 2008

who are you fennel .dolans puppet in my opinion who talks crap

Chris Lavers - 01 May 2008

Hi, I work in a print factory (shop-floor, non-management, non-MPI) and, like a nosey parker, I have been following this article with interest since Thursday (pre-closure). These are my independent

comments on a public forum.

What happened to B&T was tragic and will be felt thoughout the publishing industy in this country. The direct employees, some sub-contractors (post- and possibly pre-print) and publishers in Britain will bear losses to a greater and lesser extent. This includes people from all walks of life, doing many different jobs. Obviously, the direct employees have suffered more than anyone, and they have my sympathies. I understand this is by no means the first large employer in this area to close in recent years which is bound to impact the local economy and employment market. Others, probably further afield, will benefit.

The clause in the employees' proposed new contracts regarding individuals being sued for losses incurred by their personal errors sounds both alien and severe to me, but I wonder if it would ever have been effected? And would it stand up in a law court? It was obviously never tested, and nobody ever had a chance to try and find ways to live with the other detrimental conditions of the new contract.

Everyone should know that the print industry in this country is extremely competitive right now and we are competing on an international stage. For better or worse, the world is going global by way of improving communications and technologies. If you are like me, then you'll want to stay in the game - it gets in your blood and it's not a bad way to spend a working day. At the moment, it's high tension drama and those who keep their heads will have the best chance of survivng and then prospering.

I truly feel for the individuals and families affected by this closure and I dread to imagine what you are all going through. This brings me to the main point of my commentary: WHY DIDN'T YOU SIGN THE DAMNED CONTRACT?

mark hamblin - 01 May 2008

dear mr lavers

if you need to ask that question i suggest you go back and start reading the literature THIS TIME WITH YOUR EYES OPEN

Clive Keeble - 01 May 2008

Does anybody know if an "insolvency practictioner" or "administrator" has been appointed to oversee the "voluntary liquidation" of Butler & Tanner Printers Ltd Company No 06331779 ?

I am not expert in company law, but I believe that the first duty of an "administrator" would be to try and dispose of the complete business as a possible viable concern in the hope of getting the maximum return for creditors.

There appears a serious lack of any real verified facts surrounding the "voluntary liquidation" of B&T.

Perhaps, just perhaps, there might be decent prospects for future employment .

There's strength in unity, don't let a few comments from those who don't know the full details cause division in the ranks. You can win, it is a question of self belief even in a time of hardship.

cliff white - 01 May 2008

Apparently, Dolan told BBC Somerset that “workers will be paid by the government”.

In today’s Somerset Standard, he's quoted as saying: “The wages and pensions issue will be dealt with by the creditors as the staff are owed their wages and they will take top priority”.

So which Dolan can you believe?

Judith

Mark Hutton - 01 May 2008

I've another question. Where's Dolan?

He seemed to have plenty to say earlier in this dispute but now the tide of public opinion has turned against him he seems very shy.

Is he firing off the odd comment to this forum under assumed names? He always did prefer remote communication to face to face talks (fewer witnesess? - i don't know).

I challenge him to debate his stance in public against the Unite officials - my first question would be "knowing that the staff invoiced enough money to pay the pension contributions in full on the required date, one week before the redundancy notices, where did that money go after it left B&T's account? It certainly didn't arrive at the pension provider!

What questions would you like to ask him?

Keep it clean!

alexandra doel - 01 May 2008

This man has our pension money in his bank account, what do we have nothing as he didnt pay our wages. Just remember Mr Dolan 'what goes around comes around' Best of luck everyone i enjoyed working with you all.

steven fisher - 01 May 2008

The staff at B&T don't have a clue about business, I belived B&T went in to administration to lose the pension fund ( so you should all blame the old owners of B&T regarding your pension fund ) The MPI group brought it out of administration without the pensions so how can Dolan be blamed ?????????

I agree with Fennell the union's are to blame along with all the staff in the union.

Things are changing in the print trade and to make money packages have to change ( longer hours, pay cuts etc )

All you have lost now !!!

Mark Hutton - 01 May 2008

Steven - this was a new pension scheme set up in co-operation with Dolan under t.u.p.e. transfer regulation so it was NOT connected with the old company.

So it could be that you don't know as much about business as you think.

Andy Janes - 01 May 2008

Hey, Mr Fisher is right the staff and unions have messed it up for everybody, the staff don't like to change there ways and the only way forward is to make changes.

Cheer cheer to Dolan and MPI

gary evans - 01 May 2008

if you dont know the facts who are you to say this?

steven fisher - 01 May 2008

Oh well thats life, shit happens time to move on with your lives, people like Dolan don't lose he will be safe as houses.

Andy Janes - 01 May 2008

THREE CHEERS FOR MPI

gary evans - 01 May 2008

lies yet again in the standard

show your face you coward

Clive Upshall - 01 May 2008

To answer Chris Lavers: Dolan never had any intention of agreeing anything with the workforce. Even if they had agreed (which of course no sane person ever would) to be sued for errors made, he would have come up with something else even more ludicrous that he wanted to implement just to force the company into closure! I expect he was gutted that the strike hadn't been called for last Friday, to give him an excuse for choosing the day before the payroll bacs transfer was due to go out to shut the company. All my own personal opinion of course

Linda Upshall

alexandra doel - 01 May 2008

Mr Janes

How can you possible say three cheers for MPI? 287 people have lost their jobs, we all have mortgages and families. Get a grip! (all comments my own personal opinion)

Clive White - 01 May 2008

The site is worth upwards of £36 million. We hear that Dolan has an agreement, with the land owner, that he will close the company within six months so that the site can be redeveloped. Ring any bells with anyone?

mark hamblin - 01 May 2008

dear mr james

people like dolan and those who condone his business ethos should get together pool their money and start up the workhouses plenty of un-used ex-business buildings due to your victorian values;;;;;;; imagine all the money you could make all my own views of course ///

Jon Fennell - 01 May 2008

Well put Mr Lavers, regarless of the content of the contract, signing would have get you all in work and given the option to find alternative employment.

If Mr White is right this would have spannered Dolan and MPI.

Redundancy package is likely to Stat min, (the government requirement).

As for the comment about me being a Dolan puppet, I don't know the guy, I do however give a damn, and the demise of B&T is another nail in the decline of the industry.

We are all in the same boat and its tough, maybe the shopfloor should understand more about how tough. Print is all we know, what are the options.

Mr Snake? Whats wrong with your own name?

reggie reynolds - 01 May 2008

mr Janes get a grip

meer kat - 01 May 2008

here here reggie

paul rodgers - 01 May 2008

its my opinion that dolan didn't want to make a deal

he was using these negotiations as a way of getting rid of the union he didn't want to deal with the unions he didn't wan't to make pension contributions as can clearly be seen .

when he realised he was not going to get away with this he cut and run.

the man is a bully and a manipulator

oh and also a tosser

reggie reynolds - 01 May 2008

see you tom on picket line.keep your chins up

Jon Fennell - 01 May 2008

How can you picket a closed business

The Hadron collider - 01 May 2008

as long as we stop dolan making any money thats good enough for me.

Clive Keeble - 01 May 2008

On line article from this week's Publishing News

http://www.publishingnews.co.uk/pn/pno-news-display.asp?K=e2008050108004555&TAG=&CID=&PGE=&sg9t=cbd2a5be26893c7c10ff5b7ccc309f6f

Mark Hutton - 01 May 2008

Mr Dolan continues to state that the company is in liquidation. I am informed that a company cannot be placed in liquidation until a creditors meeting has been held after which a liquidator is appointed.

As a creditor of the company i have received no notification of such a meeting therefore the company is not yet in liquidation.

Have any of Mr Dolans larger creditors been informed of the date of this meeting if so please post details.

I,for one, will wish to attend anyone else going?

The Hadron collider - 01 May 2008

i would also like details of this meeting.

ticking timebomb - 01 May 2008

makes me laugh these people that come on here and cause nothing but triouble janes and fennel im pointing the finger at. yet you dont even state what you do? or how well you know the trade? maybe your a md of a company if you are then i feel sorry for your employees as you are just as crooked as dolan maybe your even on his payroll or his gay lovers? so why dont you keep your unwanted opinions to yourselves and shut the FUCK up!

Clive Keeble - 01 May 2008

Further to the point raised by Mark Hutton, I would strongly recommend that when anybody has a meeting with David Heath MP that they stress that nobody appears to have knowledge of a "insolvency practitioner" being appointed to oversee the "voluntary liquidation" of Butler and Tanner Printers Ltd Company No. 06331779. There should be some official documentation to substantiate that B&T has been put into voluntary liquidation.

To an outsider all does not seem quite right.

michael hewson - 01 May 2008

mr fisher what did you say oh well thats life move on please remember that next tax year when you are helping to pay our redundancy payment and dolan [in a way] is screwed you to

kba topdog kba topdog - 01 May 2008

seems to me the mr evil has got 1 or 2 people working for him on this forum......then again...its prob his own work as he likes to roam alone.stand up and be counted....and give us back our money!! i thought maxwell perished??? (all my opinion i might add)...hats off to every1 on the picket line...great solidarity. Ofcourse thanks to all the supplies coming in...show the dictator we cant be broken! my views again.

Clive Upshall - 01 May 2008

Hope all the papers around the country read all these forums. ITS GREAT THAT ALL OF US ARE STICKING TOGETHER.

Really tragic - 01 May 2008

I just want to say that as someone who has placed work at B&T for the past 7 years now I am really upset by what has happened. I agree that Mike Dolan sounds unscrupulous and his business practices seem dodgy. BUT I do think that some people are not helping your cause by being so aggressive to people on this forum who may not agree with you 100%. There is no need to swear and make ridiculous allegations towards people. It does you no good at all. I am hugely upset by the closure of B&T but I do think you need to be dignified about it, instead of resorting to name calling... I can understand your anger but as an outsider I can tell you that some of the comments on the forums about B&T do you no credit. This is my personal opinion.

BT Meatman - 01 May 2008

Mike all we are asking is for you to come clean and tell everyone you had no intention of keeping B&T'S going why say about talksn going on into the evening when you hadnt paid any pension money and had no intentions of paying Aprils wages, as well as not paying supplers etc etc. You just hide and tell us by letters all the time your such a JELLYFISH (no backbone ) DOnt forget theres a Burger down at the picket line with your name on it dont be shy old man !!! My opinion of course Mikey. I wouldnt treat my dog like you treated us

Cheers. I want my money or can you just pay my bills this moth you sly old dog!!

Clive Upshall - 01 May 2008

If liquidators have not yet been appointed I presume that means that B&T's still exists as a company. This then means that B&T's are not by law allowed to withhold wages unless the employee has agreed to it?!! Well Clive certainly didn't give Mr Dolan permission to withhold his wages!! Does that mean we can get the police in?

reggie reynolds - 01 May 2008

replying to fennel the business isnt empty friary are in there -you obviously only read what you want to read on here. are you in the trade ? and more importantly have you been working and at end of month find your job gone, no wages, no pension paid and no way of paying bills? if no to either of these questions then in my opinion keep your stupid views to yourself and try and think of us who have lost it all. goes for janes as well you have NO IDEA how us the workers are feeling . not being nasty just giving you my opinion .

Dave Willis - 01 May 2008

Would these people know anything?

www.hse.gov.uk/enforce/enforcementguide/investigation/identifying/insolvenc...

http://www.hse.gov.uk/enforce/enforcementguide/investigation/identifying/insolvency.htm

Dave Willis - 01 May 2008

Would it be possible that Dolan might be tempted to remove any assets from the B&T site back into the fold of the group before finalising the wind up procedure? Can he transfer work/materials/machinery elsewhere or is there a legal way of preventing this? It almost looks like he might be buying a little time maybe?

ticking timebomb - 01 May 2008

well said reginald

Dave Willis - 01 May 2008

I find it incredible, how a group can chop off one limb and not be held liable for any money owed to creditors and continue trading, surely it's time the law was changed to prevent this? It would seem that any company can buy another ailing one and shift their debts onto it purely to sink it. What did Dolan think he could do differently to the existing structure to make B&T profitable apart from cut wages? Why did the directors have a rise - to keep them a few months longer?

Jon Fennell - 01 May 2008

In response to Mr Reynolds

Yes I am in the trade, yes I have been made redundant, yes I have lost 7 weeks wages because I was prepared to try and save a business. Yes I was a chapel member (NGA), yes I know how elements of chapels are militant and become blinkered to any elses situations. I also have listened to full time branch officials who have to save face with union and even if thy were wrong would not back down. I have alo seen chapels split.

Regardless of how how bad the new contracts may have been, they would not have tied you to the business IF you could have found a better job, it would not have paid the same as the dole, and you would have been able to pay the mortgage.

I have been in your position on 3 ocassions through merger and ripped off funding. How many more like me would you like to hear from.

I have been close to and watched more businesses die through ignorance than you have probably ever worked for.

I have my views, and it stands unity got you and your type knowhere, your branch officer is still being paid, so how are your union helping you now?

How many staff were intimidated, perhaps Dolan, is the good guy and you are the bad, after all you try and shoot all that challenge your views.

This is a battle no body has won, it isn't fair, but don't tell me I don't know how it feels.

Clive Upshall - 01 May 2008

To Mr Fennell

Most employees of B&T's were such loyal long-standing employees we were all reluctant to leave and give up our redundancy rights. We have all offered to take pay cuts and changes to make the company more profitable, but Mr Dolan rather than accept them in the meantime, wanted to make additional changes. He obviously wasn't that bothered about reducing costs (in my opinion). The union has been fantastic and I don't hear any redundant employee saying otherwise, so why should outsiders say they have not helped our situation. We are all proud that we have battled, offered all we feel able, and have gone down fighting! The union has worked around the clock to get a deal, and even now are supporting us fully.

ticking timebomb - 01 May 2008

well said clive fennel ur views are not welcome here unless they are of a constructive nature

Clive Upshall - 01 May 2008

ticking timebomb, reveal yourself!

ticking timebomb - 01 May 2008

ask around on the line they will tell you!

BT Meatman - 01 May 2008

Theres only 1 winner in this we all know who that is

dont we???? Its Not any of us loyal workers Dont be late Mike your burgers getting cold we wont charge you cos we know your skint (NOT!!!!!!)

Thanks

Jon Fennell - 01 May 2008

Clive, I wish you well, good luck.

ticking timebomb - 01 May 2008

at last a sensible comment by mr.fennell

BT Meatman - 01 May 2008

Why send the letters out whilst people are still in the factory working?? How Professional is that then Mr Dolan. Or is that how all crooks work?? You were the 1 that didnt want it all along why keep moving the goalposts???

Lots of burgers Meatman xxxx

Jon Fennell - 01 May 2008

Ticking Timebomb, or should it be Sid Sheep. At least I made one more sensible comment than you.

All the best and don't burn yer burger

ticking timebomb - 02 May 2008

can anyone explain sid sheep i really dont have a clue

Mark Hutton - 02 May 2008

You're right Mr Fennell everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Mine is this the Union can produce documentation, e-mails and witnesses to back up all the claims they make.

We asked for Mr Dolans evidence of intimidation - it has not been forthcoming. Regarding the strike it was made quite clear to Mr Dolan that while meaningful negotiations continued we would suspend strike action.

He refused to turn up at ACAS on the slightest pretext whilst finalising plans to shut up shop with no warning.

He has announced the liquidation process but has given no date of a creditors meeting.

You will notice that it is primarily Mr Dolans name that appears in these posts - that is because he seems to have rarely consulted with his fellow directors or top managers and seems to operate as a sort of "one-man band".

All very odd!

His monotonous response is always "I blame the union".

As Mandy Rice-Davies once said during the Profumo affair - "Well, he would, wouldn't he?"

Mark Hutton - 02 May 2008

Oh, and by the way, all you cheerleaders for MPI to use another quote - if they come sniffing around your business - "Be afraid, be very afraid".

Purely my opinion of course!

reggie reynolds - 02 May 2008

to mr fennell thanks for clearing your situation up. makes me wonder even more why you are being so pro-dolan and anti-workforce when you have been through same thing .i am angry like everyone else and all I want is what I have worked for ALREADY and what is owed to me. why you are so bitter towards us I dont know -we are not the ones who have broken law after law and filtered OPM(other peoples money), we like your good self are hard working family persons just wanting the best for our families. i take your comments on board and apologize if i was a bit hasty but please try and see our point of view we are innocent in this whole debacle . in my opinion MPI and dolan have a lot to answer for and justice will prevail one day. all my opinion

reggie reynolds - 02 May 2008

just one more thing mr fennell What exactly is MY TYPE ? I find that terminollogy very offending comes across that you think i am worthless or worse . i really hope that isnt the case

john peel - 02 May 2008

Doesn`t matter a jot what the pro-Dolan clowns come on here spouting their verbal diahhoreah, we know the truth, just ignore the trolls, don`t feed them and they will drift back under the stones from where they came.Don`t forget today (Friday) North Parade, make every effort to be there the larger the turn out the better, let`s show Dolan just how strong and collective we are.4pm prompt move off,be there please....

gary evans - 02 May 2008

daily mirror page 55

steven fisher - 02 May 2008

Come on people its time to move on

reggie reynolds - 02 May 2008

when we get whats ours and dolan gets his comeuppance

john peel - 02 May 2008

Yes, I will move on when I get what is owed to me from that Charlatan Dolan

kba topdog kba topdog - 02 May 2008

lets all turn out today.....bring ur families and friends.....show dolan and crozier(or is it fennell) what we are about......dont let dick turpin win...(my opinion)...the more publicity, the better for all of us and our families......some1 go get scargill!!!

phil horler - 02 May 2008

Here Here kba topdog!!

phil horler - 02 May 2008

Really tragic, you are right using bad language is inappropriate for this site. As one of B&T'S FOC'S i will ask people to stop the bad language, however you can probably understand why so many people are upset. Men like Jon Fennell, Andy Janes and Steve Fisher are arrogant, ignorant idiots and the whole reason why the trade union exists so keep your comments to yourself and give people time to get over the sudden losses of their jobs and the difficulties they now face trying to pay their mortgages and other household bills. Chris Lavers we all understand your comments and understand your frustration however if you had seen the contract we were being asked to sign (and i will show it to you if you want to arrange to meet me) then i doubt you would have signed it either. Keep the picket going guys and gals and lets bring Dolan to justice. Lets tone down the language we dont need to do that lets leave that to Delboy oops sorry Dolan and his three wise men Fisher, Fennell and Janes.

Phil Horler

PS. Are you Dolan in disguise ?????

ticking timebomb - 02 May 2008

ok ok my language may be a little harsh but im hacked off with people slagging off good workers who are victims in this.

whats this i hear they have temporary staff doing our jobs? i thought they have no money?

phil horler - 02 May 2008

Yeah i heard it on the news not sure what its all about will find asap. Talk about rub our noses in it GRRRRR

ticking timebomb - 02 May 2008

i still havent had my redundancy letter by the way phil

Craig Halford - 02 May 2008

Well Said Philph

phil horler - 02 May 2008

I know marv

kba topdog kba topdog - 02 May 2008

loadsa pics and evidence gathered.....dolan has said no1 is working on the site....more fabrication....we have all the evidence and David heath confirmed the serious fraud dept are looking into all the goings on.....hang in there...justice must surely prevail!!!

kba topdog kba topdog - 02 May 2008

excellent shout cass

kba topdog kba topdog - 02 May 2008

THE ROZZERS ARE CLOSING IN DOLAN..............

Craig Halford - 02 May 2008

Firstly I would like to address Mr Janes, Mr Fennell and Mr Fisher, You are of course entitled to your own opinions just as these people are entitled to disagree (constructively)! Mr Fennell you have put your point across well and although I don't agree with a word you have said I can understand how someone who has not lived this particular situation every day for the last year has come up with your conclusions. You may think that your situation (s) were the same but believe me unless you have dealt with this particular man I don't think you have any idea of the full extent of his actions which has resulted in all of this. I do not now nor have I ever worked for Butler and Tanner, MPI group or any other company connected to Dolan, unfortunately my better half did and was one of the people who lost his job on Saturday. At the beginning of this I was very much of the opinion that Dolan was trying to implicate realistic changes (i.e. pay cuts etc) that were an absolute necessity in order to keep the company afloat and considering the company had been operating on an alleged 2 million loss YOY it didn't take a genius to work out that things had to change. The Union and the Workers although obviously resentful of the fact also knew this and were prepared to take it on the chin (AGAIN) after all its better to lose a bit of money than to lose your job! But as I’m sure people are beginning to realise Mr dolan was completely unreasonable about it, I have seen the letters in which he uses derogatory and unprofessional language against the Union, I have seen the contract where he asks workers to put their families homes at risk if they make a mistake at work the list goes on and its all completely unacceptable! We are of course left in financial difficulty but the bottom line is we as will everyone else recover from it, There is no way on this earth I would expect my partner or anyone else's to work for this man, and if all of you who are blaming the Union took the time to come and read the letters, emails and contracts I’m sure you would be quick to change your tune this is the millennium not the stone age and people have rights and Dolan finds this hard to understand when those rights get in the way of him making more millions! What dolan doesn’t see is that out of all of this carnage he has caused has come the biggest show of unity I have every witnessed, I’m sure that he has never experienced the feeling of cameraderie when being chucked “in the same boat” and he never will, You enjoy your millions Mr Dolan These boys and girls have pride, dignity and respect and that’s something all of the money in the world couldn’t buy! Cass and marv

That picket line rocks!!

john peel - 02 May 2008

Don`t know if you read this site Dolan but the picket line is going really well, shops from the town are donating food, other have donated B-B-Q`s above all morale is high, pockets may be empty but morale is high. Today, pay attention Dolan !!!!, the BBC have been with us for over an hour and intend to be with us for a lot longer. Our excellent M.P. David Heath visited us for an hour, Dolan the net is closing in, somewhen when you are not expecting it there will be a knock at the door of your mansion........................

reggie reynolds - 02 May 2008

I am still waiting for fennel to explain his YOUR TYPE comments as I found them offensive iget the feeling that MR fennel thinks that we are worthless useless people neanderthals. I hope that i am wrong MR fennel and that I have taken it the wrong way. Phil and all other union colleagues i will see you at north parade later. I will just take this opportunity to thank Stuart, Phil,Rob,Mark et al for all their hard work before,during and after the dispute HOLD YOUR HEADS UP HIGH LADS YOU,VE BEEN GREAT.

The Hadron collider - 02 May 2008

fennel obviously is an alias for dolan, sarney or crozier.

Craig Halford - 02 May 2008

Mr Janes you need to adjust your sign on name there is obviously a spelling error shouldn't it be Mr J ANUS!!

Jon Fennell - 02 May 2008

Ok Mr Reynolds, you needn't get upset about the My Type comment, I do not see any of you as being sub human or otherwise, Its sad you feel this way, but given the situation you may feel like it.

You assumed that people who have not 'lived' through B&T don't understand how you feel, I was making a point that I actually do, because I have done it myself. The My Type was a reference to people who you can now say are like us, they have had the same feeling of anger, resolve and betrayal. Its like grieving, and yet proud to have been part of something. My only hang up I have had with B&T is if I had been where you and your colleagues are now is the question of 'what if'.

From my own experience I have never had to think 'what if', but there again I guess would have gone against the union and signed a contract, just for that reason. I guess I maybe feel that way even more because the jobs front is *hit, and paying the bills is a lot better than not, along with the hope that if things are as bad as feared you can jump from job to job, which is easier locally than 287 jumping at the same time.

From what I have read your right Dolan is an arsehole, but just maybe the business may have carried on for another 18 months which buys time.

I also found this blog to work against your colleagues, and it has taken time for some kind of rational explanation to come through, and it does not help when elements of the forum have been plain abusive, which only adds to speculation that Dolan may have had a point with his Union killed the business claims.

From the middle ground (impartial) it appears neither side would give. He had his agenda and you had yours and it looks like neither side could afford to back down, and that's the 'what if'.

Reg, I hope you guys get sorted, but you have to be careful how you portray yourselves, everyone has a viewpoint, its how you cope with it.

regards

phil horler - 02 May 2008

Well said marv and cass

phil horler - 02 May 2008

Dolan is there any reason we cant e-mail you at:

info@media-print.co.uk any more ?????

BT Meatman - 02 May 2008

Whats all this on the news about temps in the factory working hope they realise that they aint gona get paid by Delboy silly fools. Im glad we all stood our ground theres no way id sign a contract to say im liable if i breach my contract its bad enough losingmy job but it would be a different story if i lost my house over it. Reggie well played yes great work Stu Phil Rob and everyone who stuck together during the bullying days. Happy days ahead,i know its a shame we lost our jobs but at least we aint gota work for a bullying thief any more,anyone got some soap on a rope for our dear friend?????? Of course its my opinion. Show your face Mike stop hiding away or are you writing more letters ??

BT Meatman - 02 May 2008

Good show at the march looked good on tv, didnt see you there Mike or were you in the factory organising your temporary work force finishing jobs off?? I did hear theres a few machines running that shouldnt be because their jobs are made redundant So come clean Mike just seen pictures on tv with a folder running B&T'S folder aswell. Whats that all about 'History' well thats what you wanted all along in my opinion, why dont you go on camera then what you scared of cant clear your yourself can you? cant clear all the lies? what goes around comes around and hopefully twice as bad my old mucker!!!!!!!!!

alexandra doel - 02 May 2008

Does anybody know if its viable for the union and its members to force dolan into administration based on the amount or money he owes all of us???? The man is living in his own little universe and really needs to be shaken up, how can he publicly state the B and T machines are not being used even when there is photographic evidence?!?!?! Of course these are my own opinions and views. Doely.

Steve Newport - 02 May 2008

ok mr fennell it seams a slight less agressive view your takin now.I resect your opinion but would realy like to meet u along with fisher and janes to show you evidence of exactly what this man expected.Glad to see you had the courage to finally acknoledge our point of view.we will continue to pickket till dolan is brought to justice and we recive what we are due.p.s reggie realy is adecent man as i expect are you.I am one of the local reps and will hold my head high .doubt if mr dolan can say the same thing.

STEVEN ROGERS - 02 May 2008

THANK YOU

to everyone who turned up today to support us, it was amazing to see all the flags flying people cheering and clapping. Frome Town centre came to a standstill today at 4.00pm and not a single person would not have been proud to see so many bystanders given there support well done Frome we are still fighting for what is right it might be a long road and we might get weary but we will be UNITED cheers

Lara Smyth - 02 May 2008

The march looked really impressive - top story on the news.

Guys - that photo - could be wrong, but I think its Kerry White who was moved across from Borcombe SP (ran bindery in Premier Bookbinders).  Re the "skeleton staff" / agency workers, are you sure its not just Friary Press crew (inc Kerry White....?) finishing what little is left of their work, before they're not allowed on site any longer......

Jon Fennell - 02 May 2008

Think your problem with admin will come from the fact he has gone for voluntary liquidation (similar . He can almost name the date as to when he calls in the administrators. He got in before anyone else got the chance. DTi may be able to offer guidance but they won't get involved unless it can be proved that he acted fraudulantly. He has probably spoken with all the creditors and agreed terms of payment.

It may be possible (via the union) to look into the technicalities of freezing business related accounts, which is possible from small claims, but this may not be quick. Know some guys who did this, similar circumstances. They did eventually win.

Has the union not dug into this, action is limited for now, but should he default on payments agreed creditors could wind him up.

For a similar case have a search on print week for Arkle or Arkel, Northampton. I don't think they appointed admin for 3-4 weeks. Like you guys they were made redundant, but they were paid.

I am not a legal bod, but may be worth looking at

Jon Fennell - 02 May 2008

may be good timing see article just updated on Abbey Green Repro

STEVEN ROGERS - 02 May 2008

THANK YOU to everyone who supported us today it was amazing to see all the flags flying and people clapping and cheering as we walked through. Frome Town centre came to a halt at 4.00pm as everyone came in force to show support for B&Ts, ALL WE WANT IS JUSTICE!!! we might get weary but we will always be UNITED

cliff white - 02 May 2008

If you missed the local news, the report is online here http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/england/realmedia/pointswest/pointswest?size=16x9&bgc=C0C0C0&nbram=1&bbram=1&nbwm=1&bbwm=1

Judith

reggie reynolds - 02 May 2008

I thank you you Mr fennell for replying--respect to you.I appreciate what you say and take your comments on board. well done everyone today it was phenomenal the public support in the town we WILL get justice and we WILL get OUR money.the battle goes on

Jon Fennell - 02 May 2008

http://www.printweek.com/news/806995/Ex-Abbey-Green-staff-wages-battle/

have you clocked this? Think one of you has

Jon Fennell - 02 May 2008

re: Voluntary Liquidation, see this http://www.fasimms.com/company_liquidation.html

ticking timebomb - 02 May 2008

jon i apoligise for my original outburst we were just discussing you on the picket line and it seems ur not so bad after all giving us this info please accept my apology

Jon Fennell - 03 May 2008

May be some mileage in this, do you have a copy of the proposed contract, will Unite legally advise?http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/RedundancyAndLeavingYourJob/DG_10026696

Also remember some of your guys ended up working last friday night. There may also be grounds for re course, as the company technically became insolvent on agreement with the shareholders early evening. The shift was allowed to work even though there was no intent to pay after the event. It may be that if this can be proved DTi may take action on the grounds of knowingly trading insolvently.

See also  http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/about/gbhtml/gbw1.shtml#five (Chapter 5, do you know if it was MVL or CVL?, looks like MVL), read the requirements which include posting of notice in 2 local papers of intent.  

All this may come to nothing but could help 

ticking timebomb - 03 May 2008

jon u got a good point there postal mark is apparently 7pm yet the shifts on that friday ended at 9pm

the post must have gone out at around 5ish to get the last post

Jon Fennell - 03 May 2008

Check out all the links. they are all possibles.

The CVL and MVL are both forms of Voluntary Liquidation, whats interesting is the requirements of Companies House,was it ever spotted in local papers that a request for Voluntary Liquidation had been advertised?

Reading the description for constructive and unfair dismissal, you guys also fit.

apologies if you have already been through these.

Andy Janes - 06 May 2008

Why don't all the 289 staff put B&T into admin your self ? then you don't have to deal with Dolan