A number of public service unions have now taken the decision to strike in late June to preserve their pensions. As always the decision by these workers was not taken lightly. Its always difficult to take the decision to take strike action. Strikes happen because industrial relations break down and a dispute is created. It is never the first course of action.
Members of the Public and Commercial Services Union, the Association of Teachers and Lecturers and the National Union of Teachers have decided that the attacks on their pensions entitlement warrants industrial action at the end of June. Many other unions, including UNISON, are on the road to industrial action later this year. The action for June is therefore an important stepping stone for what is likely to be more sustained action later this year.
Its not too late for this coalition government to step back from their latest attack on the public sector with their targetting of pension rights. They can choose to take the route of honouring the pension entitlements of public sector workers. Sadly its unlikely that they will do that. This is a cold and calculated attempt by the Government to make the privatisation of public services cheaper for their mates when they come calling to take over our services. This is all about helping their friends to make a profit from the delivery of public services. Thats the real reason behind this attack on our pensions.
The more workers that become aware of the fact that they are going to be asked to pay 50 per cent more and receive 50 per cent less in return from their pensions the more get angry.
Public sector workers do not want to take strike action but increasingly, when they are presented with the facts behind this latest attack, on top of pay freezes, pay cuts, and reductions in other working conditions, are saying enough is enough.
1 comments:
UNISON members are becoming more aware that the cuts have not yet begun on their jobs or their terms and conditions, although I have been dealing with many redundancies, these have been cut a person here, cut a person there. The real attack will come towards the end of this year when there is nowhere left to run.
You are so right about this government laying the ground so their rich business friends will come in and reap the rewards of fat profits whilst the working person suffers. In terms of pensions many officers in LA have spotted and are worried that their contributions will mean that for them it would be easier to pull out of the LGPS rather than pay 50% more and get 50% less. This has worried us on the viability of the scheme long term. What is not being addressed is the need for all working people to be able to pay their wages into a scheme and have something for their old age, this way its a win/win for everyone. Especially the tax payer.
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