20 December 2005
Amicus members are striking today (Tuesday 20th November) at Typhoo Tea in Moreton, Wirral over pensions following the sale of Typhoo Tea by Premier Foods to the Indian Company Apeejay Surrendra.
Following industrial action on Friday 9th December the company have come back with some improvements to the inferior money purchase scheme after closing their final salary pension scheme.
Amicus say that our members will no longer have a guaranteed pension when they come to retire. The company has also refused to give a guarantee that they do not intend to make further detrimental changes to member’s terms and conditions of employment.
The turnout in the postal ballot was 95% with 97% of Amicus members voting to take strike action.
Amicus Regional Officer, Graham Daley, said:
“Our members should not have to use any of their pay to get independent financial advice because the company no longer provides a final salary pension.”
Premier Foods have sold the company for £80 million without any guarantees about future terms and conditions of employment, including providing a broadly comparable pension. Premier Foods made over £11 million profit last year.
Amicus has offered talks involving ACAS in an attempt to resolve the dispute, but the company has refused any further negotiations.
