Public service unions attempt to prevent pensions erosion — but at what risk?

THE chairperson of the ASTI pensions committee, Bernadine O’Sullivan, commenting (Letters, July 16) on your report of the ICTU conference in Bundoran, highlighted the “very real cut” in lifetime wages arising because workers are being forced to accept defined contribution (DC) pension schemes instead of defined benefit (DB) schemes.

She concluded by stating “the trade union movement should be congratulated … in both the public and private sectors”.

PEPS (Pension Enlightenment for Public Servants) is a group of retired professionals and trade unionists which offers a voluntary pension information service for public servants.