M&S staff told to accept pension plans

The Labour Court has recommended that unions representing 2,300 workers at Marks & Spencer in Ireland accept management proposals concerning the closure of the firm’s pension scheme.

Mandate and Siptu have been in dispute with the UK retailer over its proposals to shut down the defined benefit scheme and replace it with a defined contribution scheme.

The dispute escalated in December when workers staged a one-day stoppage at M&S’s 17 shops here before both sides agreed to enter talks at the Labour Court.