Printers threaten first strike in more than 100 years

PRINT members of trade union Amicus are threatening strike action over plans by Irish Master Printers Association (IMPA) to wind up its final salary pension scheme.

Amicus, which represents 400 print workers on local and regional newspaper, said it will hold a ballot for strike action in protest at closure of the final salary pension scheme.

The scheme will be replaced by defined contribution plan, which Amicus claim offer inferior benefits.

The IMPA said the scheme must be closed off because of a funding shortfall.

Amicus officer Eddie Kirkpatrick said: “Our shop stewards are bitterly disappointed and very angry that their employers have taken this decision.

“They regard their pension as being deferred pay and are seeing their standard of living in retirement being reduced as a result of introducing a defined contribution scheme.

“We all knew the scheme needed new blood which is why, in 1998, we reached agreement at national level that all new and existing employees would be given the opportunity of joining or transferring into the industry pension scheme.”

Amicus shop stewards last week unanimously rejected the IMPA’s decision to replace the final salary scheme with a defined contribution scheme.

They also referred the matter to Amicus’ legal department to clarify any possible legal action.

If Amicus’ IMPA members support the industrial action ballot including strike action, it will be the first national dispute of print workers in Ireland in more than one hundred years.