Ex-GPMU FOC at Robor, Alan Priddy, said he would be taking legal action against the firm. As far as I am concerned this will go all the way in law, he said.

GPMU south of England branch secretary Trevor Town, who represented the employees at the initial tribunal hearing, said the union would support all eight in their appeal.

The case was bought against Robor Cartons by 14 of its employees, and followed a 22% wage cut imposed by the firm at its West Sussex-based plant in March this year. At the time, the firm said it was restructuring and had taken steps to cut overheads.

The tribunal found in the employees favour on 26 November and Robor was ordered to repay the loss of wages incurred. Six members of the 14 had already left the company of their own accord prior to the tribunal verdict.

Town said he had been trying to contact the issuer of the dismissal letters, Robor Cartons managing director Bob Pike, to request a meeting to discuss the repayment of wages to the employees.

But a statement issued by Pike says that the decision of the tribunal had caused the ending of the eights employment contracts.

Pike said that the result had also created a serious breakdown of relationships between those who had accepted the pay reduction, and those whose case had succeeded on a legal technicality.

Story by Andy Scott