Cable workers balloted on changes to DB scheme

Unite pensions communication manager Brian Gallagher said Prysmian Cable had presented the trade union with an offer which was awaiting approval from its members.

Two weeks ago industrial action was temporarily halted at the Wrexham site in Wales after Prysmian Cable agreed to re-enter negotiations with the union on the future of its DB scheme.

The DB scheme has been closed to new entrants for several years but the telecommunications and high-technology cable company had proposed to close it down entirely and transfer the active members into a worse-off defined contribution scheme.

Gallagher said Unite members were "overwhelmingly against such a move" and had threatened the company with a two-day stoppage if it proceeded with such claims.

Talks between the company and union continue.