Union boss Kevan Nelson, Unison’s north west secretary, agreed the email was ‘inappropriate’.
‘It is a bit David Brent,’ Mr Nelson said. ‘He probably meant it well but has underestimated the impact of these changes on his staff.
‘I recognise there is a style of management where you don’t want to appear overly-autocratic, but talking about your plans when people’s livelihoods are in the balance is not a good idea.’