Irish Life workers protest

STAFF at the Irish Life customer centre in Dundalk took to the picket line last Thursday as part of a protest against the company’s decision to close its defined benefit pension scheme from the end of June .

The majority of the 180 staff, members of the Unite trade union, are unhappy that they are being transferred to a defined contribution scheme which is generally viewed as less favourable. Protests were also held outside the company’s Dublin offices.

THE union claims closing the scheme will result in workers losing up to 35% of their anticipated retirement income, and leave many facing pension poverty.

Local Sinn Fein councillors Ruairi O Murchu and Anne Campbell said: ‘We went to the Irish Life picket line today to support the Dundalk workers of the company who are facing a situation where they believe they could lose 30% of their pension entitlements.

‘It was clear to see that the strike was being well-supported by the local community, judging by the sounding of car horns and waves from those driving by on the Inner Relief Road.

‘We spoke to a number of the workers, some of whom joined the company after 2007 and were put into the defined contribution scheme, and they were very supportive of their colleagues who face losing their defined benefit pension.

‘Some of them told us that the defined benefit pension promise was one of the reasons they had remained at the company for so long.