Unions protest against pension reforms
Thousands of union members will take part in a series of protests today against controversial plans to reform public sector pension reforms.
Unison, the Fire Brigades’ Union (FBU), the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union are among those taking part in the “protecting public service pensions” campaign day of action organised by the TUC.
They are angry about plans to increase the retirement age for local government employees from 60 to 65.
Unison said pension changes would inevitably force low-paid workers to work longer for less.
The country’s biggest trade union is also opposed to plans to move from final salary pensions to schemes based on career average earnings.
Unions believe the changes have been steam-rolled through with little or no consultation.
In Wales, Plaid Cymru is backing the union campaign, claiming changes will compound pensioner poverty.
Brendan Barber, TUC general secretary, said changes to pension provision were tantamount to a pay cut.
“The Government’s attempt to raise retirement ages across the seven million who work in the public sector must add up to the biggest ever pensions change.
“We are against ‘work ’til you drop’ policies. For those in heavy manual work or others with stressful and demanding jobs in fields such as air traffic control or north sea fishery protection, or for those whose work brings them into contact with members of the public in the health and social services, it will simply be impossible or lead to ill health and even shorter lives.”
The TUC leader said alternative paths were available and urged the Government to negotiate “a fair public pension deal”.
The day of action comes after new research by actuaries Watson Wyatt revealed the cost of public sector pensions – the gap between assets and liabilities – has risen to £690 billion in the last two years.
