1. 1. These proposals will mean we will have to work longer, pay more and get less - when we retire.
2. 2. The financial crisis is not of our making – so why should we pay for the banking crisis? There are clear alternatives - don't believe otherwise.
3. 3. Negotiations are going no-where – joint meetings over the summer led by Dave Prentis and the TUC with the government have come to nothing!
4. 4. From the 1st April 2011 the government all those drawing public sector pensions will have their pensions linked to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) not the Retail price Index (RPI). Experts* say that this will mean that the average pensioner will lose 10-12% of their annual pension over their lifetime. The Government have refused to negotiate on this.
5. 5. Inflation is running at 5.2% (August 2011). We cannot afford a 3% increase in pension contributions now.
6. 6. We are in the midst of a two year pay freeze which is set to continue. We cannot afford a 3% increase in pension contributions now.
7. 7. This dispute is not about not being able to afford public sector pensions. The local government pension schemes are financially stable with assets of £165billion. It takes in £4b a year more than it pays out.
8. 8. The arguments about affordability were dealt with in the 2008 pension dispute and, as a result, the cost of pensions to the public purse will decline in the future. As the Hutton report now shows, the cost of pensions as % of the country’s GDP is set to fall.
9. 9. Our Pension schemes are not gold- plated and are deferred wages that are central to our terms and conditions. Attacking our pension is yet another pay cut.
10. 10 A no vote will give every employer the confidence to go the way of Southampton and Shrophire. Taking strike action now will strengthen our hand and display a massive show of strength as well as support to the UNISON negotiators and to the other trade unions taking action.
*Wesleyan, Buck consultants.
Agreed
total agreement
Ballot paper received and returned.
'He that is taught only by himself has a fool for a master' - HST.
Totally agree. All out on Nov 30th!!
I hate strike time as it means I have to listen to the "reasonable" types who come up with all sorts of reasons not to exercise the right of withdrawing their labour.
You know the ones "Letting the client down" etc.
They fail to understand, short term pain, long term gain for everyone; including the client.
Fine. Will someone please tell the Newspapers and Television Channels who keep showing clips of Politicians arguing that our Pensions are much better then those in the Private Sector. It needs pointing out how responsible we are being by paying into a Pension Scheme. Don't forget, we were durign the era of the Thatcher Governments given the option of leaving the Scheme. We are being portrayed as greedy, irresponsible, or even villainous in most reports that I see. Unions should launch a Mass Media Campaign giving factual statements to all the Press and T.V./Radio. I will not 'scab' on any Strike, but I am reluctant to participate whilst the understanding and sympathy with our situation is at such a low ebb.