A number of print firms' pension funds are owed monies from companies that have gone into liquidation. Examples include George Waterston (Security Printers), Perivan White Dove and Imperial Home Dcor.

The action was noticed by work and pensions secretary David Blunkett, who called the organisers in to an immediate meeting.
"We remain cautiously optimistic," said organiser Brian Gallagher (pictured right), who said the minister wanted to work on resolving their issues.

The union welcomed the Financial Assistance Scheme to aid those who have lost all or part of their pension through companies being wound up, but believed that the 400m allocated to the scheme was inadequate.

The BPIF's deputy chief executive Cicely Brown said that to lose a pension when a company becomes insolvent was an awful situation.

She referred to the statement in the Partnership at Work document, in which the BPIF advocates support of good pension schemes, but highlights that staff are less likely to join a scheme without the incentive of employer contributions.

Story by Andy Scott