Unions at Independent Newspapers have informed the company that they will take industrial action if it goes ahead with controversial plans to make changes to its pension scheme.
Members of the Dublin Printing Group of Unions (DPGU) voted in favour of industrial action and have served notice to the company that it will take action seven days after any attempts to implement the changes.
Following a ballot of the Dublin Printing Group of Unions (DPGU) a letter has been sent to the human resources director at Independent Newspapers requesting that management return to negotiations and attend discussions at the Labour Court.
"If management proceed to make any changes without agreement, we will issue seven days' notice of industrial action up to and including strike action," said Shane McKean, Secretary of the group of unions.
"Management wants staff to increase employee contributions to the defined benefit pension scheme to 6.62 per cent, and to forgo the one per cent wage indexation negotiated for productivity. It also wants to close off membership of the scheme to new entrants.
"Union members want to see the scheme retained in its present form but are willing to negotiate increasing the employee contribution," he said.
The DPGU comprises members of Siptu, the National Union of Journalists, the Technical, Engineering & Electrical Union, manufacturing union Amicus and the Sales, Marketing and Advertising Union of Ireland.