Nissan worker speaks out and says he feels 'betrayed' over pension dispute

A long-serving Nissan worker has described feeling betrayed as car manufacturer bosses move to close the defined benefits pension scheme.
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Chris Irwin, who works in manufacturing at the Washington plant, says the changes to his pension scheme could mean he has to work for an extra two to four years before he is able to retire.

The 49-year-old, who has worked at the plant for almost 24 years, is among around 1,800 workers who will be affected by the changes if the define pension scheme is to close.

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Mr Irwin, who grew up in Washington, will join the union rally which will take place for the first time in the plant’s history on Saturday, July 11.

Chris Irwin has worked at Nissan for almost 24 yearsChris Irwin has worked at Nissan for almost 24 years
Chris Irwin has worked at Nissan for almost 24 years

But Nissan, which employs around 7,000 staff at its Wearside plant, says the level of investment needed to maintain the defined benefit scheme has ‘grown to unsustainable levels’ and says workers will move to the defined contribution scheme – which they say is competitive.

Hiding behind the pandemic

Mr Irwin, who works in manufacturing in axle, says he feels the company is ‘hiding behind the pandemic’ to push the closure through.

Chris Irwin has spoken out about the changesChris Irwin has spoken out about the changes
Chris Irwin has spoken out about the changes
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He says he received a brief phone call before a letter arrived which outlined the consultation and proposed closure.

Although at this stage Mr Irwin, who attended Oxclose Comprehensive School, does not know how much he will be affected by the changes, he estimates that he will have to work for another two to four years before he can retire.

He said: "There’s a feeling of annoyance and betrayal. I think it’s more because Sunderland is the most productive car plant in Europe, it stands out a mile and they’re hitting the people that made it that.

"It’s not just the fact they’re hitting your pension it’s the way they’ve actually done it.

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"They’ve kind of hid behind the current pandemic and they haven’t done it face to face – they’ve sent a letter and a quick two minute phone call.”

Calls for compensation package

Now, Unite is calling for a compensation package for the affected workers – which has been offered when similar pension schemes have closed such as BMW and Bentley, who provided around £26,000 and £30,000 respectively.

Steve Bush, national officer for Unite the Union, said: “Normally staff who accept the closure of defined pension schemes are offered a lump sum as compensation for the huge losses incurred, but Nissan is refusing to even countenance this.

“Our members are incredibly angry at the company’s disgraceful behaviour.”

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Mr Irwin, who will be marshalling at Saturday’s rally, added: “I’d rather keep my pension, without a doubt, but if it goes through then I think the least they can do is follow the industry standard and give us some form of compensation.”

A spokesman for Nissan 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.

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

Industrial action warning

Union members and Nissan workers are expected to gather outside the plant on Saturday where they will march to the front gates at 12pm.

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While Mr Irwin has praised the company in general – especially for the measures put in place during the Covid-19 – he says if the union moved towards industrial action he would back it.

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"I’ve been there 24 years, it’s the second time I’ve worked there – I worked there in 1992 when I was temporary for a year – and I’ve never ever seen anything like it in all the years I’ve been there,” he said.

"I feel really passionate about [speaking up]. It’s something I probably normally wouldn’t have done but you’ve just got to say and express how you’re feeling. I think that’s the biggest part, the company don’t get how bad the feeling actually is to the people it’s affecting.”

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