I have been employed by the same company for over 15 years.
Now my position is being redirected with a wage cut of 35%.
Do I have to accept this, is there anything I can do?
I know this is the first step in phasing out long time employees.

gogosean

I would strongly suggest you look up the term "constructive dismissal". It is common for very very large companies to offer a severance package as an option to taking such a severe cut.

The term "constructive dismissal" means, in lay person's terms, "You might as well have fired me."

I am not an attorney giving free advice, but since we all have our own network of people, I hear these firsthand accounts all the time. The severance instead of pay reduction is a reasonable practice.

If you work for a small company, then they probably don't have as sophisticated HR backgrounds to argue in your favor.

Before you do anything with your HR, get all of your research done first and at least have your attorney in waiting. They may have a larger plan here. Don't get caught in the wheels of other firings by aggrivating your situation with a weak case. Before you do anyting, make sure you have the strongest case possible.
If they cut your wages by 1/3, then guess what your severance package will be? That's right, 2/3 of your income for x months , or for x weeks.

Good Luck!!!!