CAT workers agree to pay cut

Wednesday 29th December 2010, 10:00AM GMT.

Staff at a Mid Wales technology centre have agreed to take a pay cut of up to 10 per cent over the next few months in a move aimed at safeguarding the company’s future.

The 162 employees at the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) in Machynlleth voted in favour of taking a 9.9 per cent reduction in wages between now and March.

Management, trustees and the board of directors have now started a review to try to consolidate the centre’s position.

Paul Allen, external relations director for CAT, said: “Like other charities we are facing losses in income because of the recession.

“We saw a slight drop in visitor numbers to 50,000 last year but our problems are driven by the global situation.

“The staff voted to take a voluntary temporary pay cut of 9.9 per cent across the board, which is a testament of their support for the centre’s vision.”

In June, CAT opened its Wales Institute for Sustainable Education (WISE) building to teach environmental courses.

The £8 million project includes a 200-seat lecture theatre named after one of CAT’s benefactors, Graham Sheppard, who donated £650,000 towards the WISE project.

View more: Machynlleth news, Mid Wales news.