Independent Newspapers has accused a group of retired journalists protesting against the company's refusal to index link their pension payments of "opportunism".
The group of about 10 people protested outside Independent Newspapers' head office in Abbey Street, Dublin, yesterday and on Tuesday.
A recent agreement with the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) excluded the retired staff from the benefits of the index-linked pension which provides for pension increases to be linked to inflation.
In a statement yesterday, Independent Newspapers (Ireland) Ltd said it operated one of the most attractive pension schemes of "any organisation operating in any industry in Ireland".
The "opportunistic" claim for indexation followed a negotiated agreement with journalists currently employed by Independent Newspapers, Mr Declan Carlyle, director of human resources, said in a statement.
The cost of the indexation of pensions must be "fully reciprocated" by employees, as determined by the Labour Court.
In finalising a new collective "house agreement" with the NUJ, the basis for the introduction of indexation was conditional on two fundamental points.
These were that all existing employees would make extra contributions to the scheme and that they also agree to changes in work practices and productivity. Neither of these was a viable option for former employees.
The company believed that the "very public protest" was motivated by certain "special interest individuals" whose efforts to embarrass the company would not deter it from adhering to normal procedures.
This protest by the former employees, many of whom received "very attractive conditions" as part of their voluntary severance agreements, was unofficial.