Royal Liver workers vote in favour of industrial action

Almost 400 workers at Irish branches of Insurance firm, Royal Liver, have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action to begin next month.

SIPTU says the action follows cuts by the company in its pension scheme and a decision to raise the retirement age from 60 to 65.

Union spokesman, Brendan Hayes, says workers are furious about the lack of consultation with them over the move.

"Part of the problem is the company just issued a letter saying it was doing it, now they say it is going to take effect from the 1st of January 2004, and they will talk to us now between now and then, but it is going ahead anyway.

"We find that unacceptable. I can understand the company saying they want to negotiate change, but they unilaterally decide that they are doing this."