Up to 100 staff in RTÉ have told management they will not accept pay cuts ranging from 2% to 12.5%, agreed by the unions last month and implemented last week.

It is understood that many of the 'dissenters' are TV producers – one of the most powerful groups in RTÉ.

The 100 staff objecting to the cuts told management that, as they have not given their signed consent, the deduction cannot be legally made.

It is understood RTÉ will try to persuade the group to accept the cuts in the interests of the station. If this does not work, the objectors will then be asked if they want to remain part of the collective bargaining unit in RTÉ as they would be going against formal company/union agreements.

If the dissenters move outside the unionised bargaining unit, then RTÉ management can renegotiate their contracts.

Last month, RTÉ director general Cathal Goan pleaded with staff to accept the pay cuts in an effort to reduce an expected deficit of €68m this year.

RTÉ cannot trade in deficit and if unchecked, the state broadcaster would run out of cash by autumn.

Last month, 1,000 Siptu and NUJ members voted 57% to 43% to accept the pay cuts and last week 80% of the 300 managers backed the deal. The remaining 700 or so non-union staff in the station are considered to have accepted the cut.

Legal advice to employers is to secure written consent from every employee before cutting pay.

Each RTÉ staff member received a letter last week detailing what the pay cut would mean to them, but it did not seek their individual signed consent to the cut.