Unions have again hit out at airport operator BAA’s decision to close its final salary pension scheme to new members from 1 December.
The decision taken by BAA means that new employees will be invited to join a new, defined contribution (money purchase) scheme. It will not affect the pensions of existing employees, BAA said.
It said the move towards a defined contribution scheme for new entrants brought the company’s pension arrangements in line with those of most UK private employers.
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However, the unions said the scheme was healthy and that changes must, therefore, be a cost-cutting measure at the workforce’s expense.
Brendan Gold, Unite national secretary for civil air transport, said: “The unions are not prepared to accept a reduction in BAA’s pension provision. We told the chief executive that the company’s decision is unacceptable. Unions will mount a vigorous campaign industrially, politically and publicly to ensure this decision is reversed.”
