PRESS RELEASE
August 21st, 2009

Support for IBM workers

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil is backing the long-serving IBM workers who face a loss in their pension benefits.

The MSP met with more 150 workers at a local trade union meeting earlier this week (MON). He has already expressed his dissatisfaction to IBM management about the proposals.

As a result of the changes, the final salary pension scheme will now be closed to existing members and will see the early retirement discount increase from three to seven per cent.

This week, Mr McNeil laid down a parliamentary motion to gain wider support for the workers.

He said: “Many of these workers have dedicated their working lives to this company and IBM is now repaying them by moving the goalposts on their futures.

“So far, the representatives from Unite have done an excellent job so far in fighting these proposals and I have offered to assist this campaign in anyway I can to protect the pension benefits of workers.

“Inverclyde and IBM have enjoyed a successful partnership over many years and the company has proven itself to be an excellent employer in the past.

“But the current management risks further damage to its reputation by imposing these unfair pension changes.”

ENDS

S3M-04706 Duncan McNeil (Greenock and Inverclyde) (Scottish Labour): IBM Pensions Proposals— That the Parliament expresses concern that IBM, a highly profitable company with substantial revenues and cash reserves which employs around 18,000 staff in the United Kingdom, including many in Scotland at its base in Greenock and other locations, is proposing changes to its final salary pension scheme that will see it closed to existing employees by 2010; believes that this will have a devastating impact on future pensions, and calls on IBM management to address the genuine concerns of loyal and hard-working employees and protect their pension benefits.
Lodged on Tuesday, August 18, 2009; Current