Australian pay packets squeezed as more employers take 'nuclear option'

SYDNEY (Reuters) - In Australia, it's known as the "nuclear option". An employer applies to the court to rip up an expiring wages deal, puts workers back on their industry's minimum pay, and then negotiates a new contract.The once-rare negotiating tactic is becoming more widespread, used by companies including BP , Alcoa and Unilever , to change work schedules and conditions, and in some cases, cut pay rates. A Reuters analysis of court disclosures shows there were almost 400 applications in..