Nissan branded 'opportunistic' as Sunderland workers face final salary pension closure

The company, which employs around 6,000 staff on Wearside, has confirmed it is entering into consultations over closing its final salary pension scheme.

Around 1,500 workers at the plant would be affected if proposals to move them on to an alternative pension plan are approved.

The Japanese-owned car giant, which last week announced the closure of its Barcelona site, insists “the planned consultation is not a short-term action” and follows a valuation of the scheme carried out more than two years ago.

A Nissan UK spokesman said: “We aim to provide competitive benefits to our highly valued staff, but these have to be balanced with the long term sustainability of our business.

“The level of company investment needed to maintain the defined benefit pension plan has grown to unsustainable levels.

“This planned consultation is not a short-term action.

“It is based on the formal valuation of the scheme carried out in April 2018, and is the next step in a long-term process.

“For this reason we are in discussions with affected employees and their representatives about the proposed closure of the plan.”

Unite’s national officer for the automotive industry, Steve Bush, said his union was planning talks with both staff and the company over the coming days.

He added: “Nissan’s plan to close the defined benefits pension scheme for hundreds of loyal workers is extremely disappointing.

“The Unite convenor for Nissan Sunderland, as well as the union’s deputy convenor, have spoken to members today and have passed on their anger at this decision to Nissan’s management.

“Unite warned last week that proposed efficiency savings at the Sunderland plant must not be used as an excuse to attack staff terms and conditions.

“Due to the timing we see this as an opportunistic attempt to push through long sought-after changes that will have a damaging impact on our members’ plans and financial security in retirement.

“Unite will not stand by and let this happen, especially when Nissan has signalled that an industry standard lump sum provided in return for accepting the closure of defined benefit schemes is also off the table.”

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