End in sight for workers’ pension battle

Almost 1,200 Waterford Crystal workers appear to be on the verge of finally receiving €250m worth of pension entitlements for which they have been fighting for the last five years.

An “intensive” round of talks between Unite trade union, which represents the workers, and the Department of Social Protection, is due to begin at the Labour Relations Commission on Monday. It is believed a deadline of October 1 has been set for the talks, in order for any settlement to be factored into the Budget.

In 2009, both Waterford Crystal and its pension fund became insolvent. The pension scheme had been wound up with a deficit of over €100m and workers were told they would receive only 18% to 28% of their full entitlements.