Retail trade unions on Thursday went to court to get department store chain V&D to withdraw its request to workers, asking them to forgo a pay rise until next year.

V&D, owned by US investment house KKR, has written to staff urging them to delay taking this year’s 3% pay rise because of the recession. Without the pay cut, jobs will go, the company is reported as saying.
The unions want the letter withdrawn, claiming it is putting undue pressure on workers.
V&D said it was convinced it was in a ‘strong legal position’ and had the support of staff.