Former Waterford Crystal workers accept Government pension settlement

Former employees of Waterford Crystal have voted unanimously to accept a government settlement over their long-running pension dispute.

Former Waterford Crystal workers accept Government pension settlement

Former employees of Waterford Crystal have voted unanimously to accept a government settlement over their long-running pension dispute.

The cabinet signed off on the €178m settlement on Tuesday.

According to reports, the payout is expected to work out at an average of around €40,000 per worker.

The Waterford Crystal factory closed in 2009, leaving 1,700 people without their pension entitlements.

Commenting on today’s ballot outcome, Regional Secretary Jimmy Kelly said: "The settlement negotiated by Unite and unanimously endorsed by members today is not only a victory for workers – it is also a victory for the trade union movement.

"Once again, we have shown what can be achieved by strong, collective and united action. No individual worker could have taken this case through the Irish and European courts, achieving a landmark legal victory which forced the State to negotiate a settlement with the workers.

"Unite would also like to take this opportunity to thank ICTU General Secretary David Begg for his assistance, and SIPTU who provided support for our case in the European Court of Justice.

"Today is a day of celebration for the workers and for the city of Waterford, which will see the benefits of the settlement in terms of increased consumer spending and confidence.

"Now, however, the task facing the trade union movement as a whole is to campaign for policy change which will ensure retirement income security for all workers."

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