Amicus takes campaign Alstom campaign to Whitehall

London, July 23 -- The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has agreed to launch an investigation into the plight of former Alstom pension members in Lincoln following a meeting with a delegation from trade union Amicus.

The Amicus delegation, led by the Amicus General Secretary, Derek Simpson met the Trade Secretary yesterday to discuss the plight of former Alstom worker's. At the meeting Patricia Hewitt agreed to order an investigation of the company's decision to cut pensions for former workers and change provisions for early retirement which will involve the Department for Work and Pensions.

General Secretary, Derek Simpson, said:

"We're seeking justice and negotiation rights for the former Alstom workers in Lincoln who are facing shrinking pension packages and have had no opportunity to be involved in decisions on the future of their pension arrangements. Alstom's former workers have been treated very shoddily and we are seeking reassurances about their future pension entitlements."

Workers at the former Alstom plant in Lincoln discovered in May, via a company website, that they face further swingeing pension cuts. Workers applying for early retirement faced a further 20% cut in their pensions. This is on top of a previous reduction by the company of 30%.

Only 5% of the 2,300 workers at the site carry on working until the age of 65 so these changes will make a massive difference to workers' pensions.

Earlier this month Amicus organised hundreds of Alstom workers to protest at the company's AGM in Paris over the French company's announcement that they are to shut their plant at Washwood Heath in Birmingham.

Alstom announced their plan to shut their plant at Washwood Heath in Birmingham the day following the award of a £100 million contract to build carriages for London Underground. The work is likely to be transferred to France or Spain.

For more information please contact Nev Jackson on +44 07958 515 308 or Catherine Bithell on +44 020 7420 8909 or +44 07958 473 224