Mirror group pensioners, the ones who are already out of pocket due to Robert Maxwell's plunder of their funds, are getting increasingly nervous about Trinity Mirror's future plans. In its latest newsletter to members, the Association of Mirror Pensioners (AMP) expresses its concern about the funding of pensions should the current review of the business lead to a break-up of the group, or to a sale.
An editorial by AMP's chairman, David Thompson - a former Daily Mirror political reporter - points out that "reviews are not held for nothing", and says: "It is not scaremongering to say that there are likely to be significant changes." He adds: "Government legislation offers greater protection to pensioners now than it did in the darkest days of the pensions thefts by Maxwell. But it is essential, if there is any restructuring or change of ownership, that the interests of pensioners are protected."
In order to help fight off any possible encroachments on their pensions, the AMP's 18-strong committee has decided to launch a pensions protection fund and is appealing to its members to donate a minimum of £5 a month towards that fund. Those wishing to get in touch with Thompson will find him at davidf.thompson@btinternet.com
Turning to the state of Trinity Mirror, there are good analyses in today's Times by Dan Sabbagh and in The Guardian by Chris Tryhorn.
