David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is three weeks before Christmas and, unfortunately, one of the country's most popular department stores closed last Saturday as workers embarked on a one-day stoppage over pension rights. I understand we will see another stoppage at Marks and Spencer tomorrow. This is a no-win situation for the workers, the company and the general public. The company has a reputation for quality, not only in its products but also in terms of its record as an employer. The general perception is that Marks and Spencer is a good employer which respects its workers and provides them with decent terms and conditions. However, its decision to close the workers' defined benefit pension scheme, which it is now arguing is discretionary, flies in the face of that general perception. In September of last year discussions took place between the company, the Mandate trade union, SIPTU and the workers involved. A number of proposals were put by the company to the unions aimed at saving money and an assurance was given to the workers that what was on the table at that time was the full entirety of the savings plan. The company then unilaterally decided to close the defined benefit scheme which was a bombshell for the workers. We must stand in solidarity with the workers involved here and indeed, with the many other workers who are facing a crisis in their pensions. We saw what happened with workers at the ESB and Waterford Crystal.