Hightower Lowdown

If you’re among the millions of workers and shareholders who are sick of seeing companies crash while their pampered CEOs skip gaily away, you can look to England for hope.

CEO pay across the pond is a fraction of the sums paid to American corporate royalty, but some Brits, like the aptly named Sir Christopher Hogg, chairman of drug giant GlaxoSmithKline, are pushing to import the off-the-charts, U.S.-style pay levels.

“Bollocks!” shout England’s shareholders and worker, who’ve seen the destructive results in America when the fortunes of top execs are separated from the well-being of everyone else. In January, a new law was passed requiring large British corporations to disclose the details of these pay packages and put them to a shareholder vote.

In May, shareholders and pensioners gave Sir Hogg’s own corporation its comeuppance, voting down a $24 million payout for Glaxo’s CEO. To avoid a similar humiliation, honchos at retailing giant Kingfisher are scaling down their own extravagant deals prior to upcoming shareholder meetings.

To help foster this rebellion in America, call United for a Fair Economy: 617-423-2148.