Unisyshas drawn union criticism over
its plan to scrap its final salary pension scheme in the
UK.
Unite, Britain's biggest union, has condemned a proposal by
Unisys to end further accruals to its defined benefit (final
salary) pension scheme for UK staff.
The proposal, if implemented on 30 November as planned, will
mean a big reduction in pension benefits for almost half of the
company's employees, claims the union.
Unisys UK vice president and managing director Duncan Tait is
currently conducting visits to Unisys sites to explain the firm's
pension changes.
Unisys claims improvements to its defined contribution (money
purchase) pension scheme will make it a "suitable and competitive
alternative" to the final salary scheme.
But Peter Skyte, Unite national officer, said, "Whilst a number
of companies have closed final salary schemes to future employees,
very few have done so for existing members as well.
"This move can only damage employee morale and make it more
difficult for Unisys to improve its lack-lustre performance in the
UK. Unite believes the company's proposals are completely counter
productive and we will do everything we can to resist them over the
coming period."