Unions to hold talks over Wedgwood pensions

Union officials at collapsed Waterford Wedgwood are to hold further talks about safeguarding their pensions with Government ministers later this week.

Representatives of ICTU and the Unite union today held a one-hour meeting with Tánaiste Mary Coughlan and will also meet with Finance Minister Brian Lenihan and Social & Family Affairs Minister Mary Hanafin on Wednesday.

Waterford Wedgwood employs about 800 at its operations in Co. Waterford.

Ms Coughlan’s spokeswoman said: “The Tánaiste and the union representatives discussed a number of aspects surrounding the difficulties facing the company, particularly the pension’s issue. The Tánaiste undertook to brief her Cabinet colleagues on the matter, including the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Social & Family Affairs, both of whom will meet the union representatives later this week.”

Unions said staff were also worried by today’s announcement that administrators plan to cut 367 jobs at the company’s UK units in Staffordshire.