Community employment supervisors and assistant supervisors are taking part in a one-day strike today.

The action by members of the Fórsa and SIPTU trade unions comes amid an ongoing dispute over pensions.

The unions claim more than 250 community sector workers have been forced to retire without an occupational pension over the last ten years.

That's despite a 2008 Labour court recommendation that said a pension scheme should be put in place for the supervisors.

A protest is being held outside the Department of Finance this afternoon calling for the recommendation to finally be implemented.

The Department of Social Protection argues that the workers are technically not state employees, but employees of community organisations that receive state funding.

'Last resort'

Retired Community Employment Supervisor Paddy Quinn says it is putting workers in a difficult financial position.

He observed: "I was actually forced by the Government to retire at 66 years of age - I was forced into a situation where I had to retire with no access to a pension scheme.

"What it meant for me, basically, is I came from a situation where your wages on Friday were €755, and the following week I was on a reduced contributory old-age pension of €230 a week."

The union's claim today's strike action is "literally a last resort".

Ian Thomas, chair of Fórsa’s CE Supervisors branch, explained: "We will withdraw our labour with some reluctance, but we really have been left with no choice.

"Our appeals to the successive administrations have fallen on deaf ears. This is the only option we have left.”