CASH strapped River Clyde Homes is coming under fire over moves to pull scores of workers out of a generous public sector pension fund because they can no longer afford it.

Sickened staff who remained in the final salary Strathclyde Pension Fund following the stock transfer in 2007 have been told that moves are underway to move them to another scheme.

The Tele understands at a stormy meeting with bosses, some workers walked out 'in disgust' at the latest changes.

Long time critic of RCH, Councillor Colin Jackson, said he has 'serious concerns' about the financial management within Inverclyde's largest housing provider.

Meanwhile, RCH is now in talks with trade unions in a bid to plough ahead with the pension plans.

The housing association told the Tele that with challenges around rent rises and other factors bosses can no longer sustain the employer contributions.

It comes on the back of a turbulent few years for RCH, which had previously announced a £150 million pound refinancing and investment packages.

Inverclyde Council intervened last year to demand answers over RCH's housing repair record with some tenants waiting up to 11 YEARS.

The housing bosses have also faced criticism from staff at subsidiary Home Fix Scotland who hit out over working practices and fears for the future.

In recent months tenants have been up in arms over 115 per cent heating bill rises imposed by RCH.

Now a leading councillor, who has repeatedly raised concerns about the housing association and its record, says questions have to be asked about the latest move.

Councillor Colin Jackson said: "I have serious concerns about the financial management within RCH and their subsidiary firm, Home Fix Scotland.

"Moving staff from the well-run LGPS scheme, which is in surplus, to a scheme that has spent many years in deficit makes little sense.

"This is on top of year-on-year rent rises and the unscrupulous 115 per cent rise in heating they have inflicted on some of our most vulnerable.

"Serious questions need to be asked."

Councillor Jackson has taken on River Clyde Homes over the heating bill rises in Broomhill and has criticised rent rises at a time when tenants are living in poor conditions, facing long waits for repairs and are often overcrowded.

He said: "The board of RCH has sat on its hands for too long, allowing tenants to be ripped off, and now they are going after the pension funds of its workers to help it out of a financial hole of its own making."

It is understood 46 members of staff are affected by the bid to switch to another pension scheme with discussions now underway with trade unions as part of the consultation.

A River Clyde Homes spokesman said: "RCH Group is a registered charity. We support over 8000 tenants and customers across Inverclyde, many of whom are experiencing financial challenges.

"We have an obligation to these tenants and customers to be prudent and protect the organisation’s future. We have a responsibility to ensure rents are affordable for our tenants, and we also have to manage increasing costs of inflation and interest rates.

“Pension arrangements have a massive financial implication and, like dozens of other organisations, have had to review what is affordable in future. Less than 20% of our employees are on this historical pension scheme dating back to being employed by Inverclyde Council. These employees transferred to RCH in 2007. Since then RCH has continued to provide this higher level of benefit, but unfortunately this is not affordable or sustainable in future.

“We appreciate that this is a change to the pension arrangements for those affected, and consultations are continuing with the employees and Trade Unions.”