Former Waterford Crystal workers hold positive talks regarding pensions
The Waterford Crystal building in the 90s
A delegation of Waterford Crystal pensioners held positive talks with opposition parties and party leaders at Leinster House this week.
In a bid to end a dispute that has stretched on for decades, the workers held discussions to explore a possible path forward to securing their long-promised pensions.
In the early nineties, over 400 of the former Crystal employees were misinformed about their future pension entitlements, and were resultingly left without a pension.
The workers claim that they were offered only one pension option at the time – the return of their pension contributions.
They were entitled to receive three options contained on an option form.
The workers assert that none of the more than 400 employees were ever offered these forms, and that no evidence of the forms existence has ever been proven.
On Wednesday, the workers spent the day in discussion with three parties at Leinster House.
They first met with Sinead Gibney TD and a delegation from the Social Democrats.
The second arrangement was with Paul Murphy TD, leader of People Before Profit-Solidarity.
They then sat down with Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald and Waterford TD David Cullinane.
It is understood that next week the workers will return to Dublin to meet with leader of the Labour Party Ivana Bacik, who has identified that she is open to meeting the workers.
After the meetings this week, the Waterford News & Star spoke with former Crystal workers Walter Croke and John Tebay.
Both said that the talks were very positive and that a path forward has been identified.
A former master glassblower, Walter Croke, told us that Sinn Fein will now be approaching Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary to initiate an "urgent meeting" alongside David Cullinane, Mary Lou McDonald and a delegation of the workers.
If a meeting materialises, three key asks will be put forward.
Firstly, an acknowledgement from government that the company misinformed the workers and failed to provide the three pension options to which they were entitled.
Secondly, that fair compensation be granted to those who were excluded from the Government compensation fund as a result.
And thirdly, that a formal apology be given for the failures that has left workers without pensions after decades of service.
The Social Democrats and People Before Profit-Solidarity are receptive to developing a concerted effort amongst the main opposition parties, and will support Sinn Féin in spearheading the approach.
Speaking after the meeting, David Cullinane said: “The Government cannot continue to wash its hands of this issue. It must accept that these workers were wronged, provide fair compensation, and issue a formal apology. That’s the least they deserve after more than thirty years of campaigning for truth and fairness.”
Mr. Croke told us: “It was a fantastic response we got from the meetings and we were very pleased."
Mr. Croke added that following years of unsuccessful correspondence with government TDs locally, and following unsuccessful talks last year with former Taoiseach Simon Harris, the workers now feel that rallying the opposition parties towards their cause is the path forward.
“We’re getting nowhere with the government parties. The position within the government is well known; they believe they are not liable” Mr. Croke said.
He added that the recent election of Catherine Connolly as President showed the positive impacts that a unified opposition can yield.
In fact, the workers had previously met with presidential candidate Heather Humphreys when she was Minister for Social Protection. It was a meeting which produced no positive results (Read more)
“The united opposition parties have been successful lately” Mr. Croke said, "so we think this is our best bet and we think it’s a great step forward.
“We feel this is the right decision and we hope to see it being moved forward by Sinn Féin and supported by the opposition.
“We’re very pleased with how yesterday went and we really appreciated the time we were given with the parties.”
More on this story is available HERE
