Sign the CPI Petition
You can sign an e-petition on the government site against the switch to CPI indexation for pensions here It has already gained nearly 70,000 signatories.
Physiotherapy staff - Massive 89.1% ‘Yes’ vote for first industrial action in 31 years
Physiotherapy staff working in the NHS in Scotland have overwhelmingly voted to take strike action over the Government’s proposals to reduce their pensions, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy in Scotland (CSP Scotland) has announced. With a turnout of 74 per cent, a huge 89.1 per cent backed industrial action over proposals that would force them to pay more and work up to the age of 68 for a pension that in many cases will be significantly lower. Many physiotherapy staff would be unable to work to 68 after a long career in such a physically demanding profession. The strike on November 30 will be the CSP’s first in 31 years and will coincide with action taken by other public sector unions. Alex MacKenzie, chair of the CSP’s Industrial Relations Committee, said: “Physiotherapy staff are in the frontline of caring for patients and are dedicated professionals, so this was an extremely difficult decision for them to take. “The message from our members however was loud and clear, we need to take this action to protect our pensions. “Our aim has always been and remains a negotiated settlement. The Government has finally shown a willingness to negotiate, but the announcement two weeks ago in Parliament fell well short of an acceptable offer. “The protection arrangements will not benefit the majority of our members who are under 40, staff who work hard to deliver high quality care for patients. “We will continue to play a full role in negotiations but the Government will need to address members’ real concerns over the proposals as they currently stand.” Alex added: “The Government’s proposals for higher contributions of up to 50 per cent are unreasonable while the NHS pay freeze is ongoing and high inflation squeezes household budgets. “It should also be remembered that the NHS pension schemes was reformed just three years ago and is both affordable now and sustainable in the future. “Indeed, the NHS pension scheme contributed a £2billion surplus for the Treasury last year.” The Government’s decision to switch the uprating measure for public sector pensions from RPI to CPI is expected to reduce the value of retirement funds by 10-15 per cent. Replacing the existing final salary scheme with a career average one could also cut some NHS workers’ pensions by up to 25 per cent. Physiotherapy staff will walk out of NHS and social enterprise workplaces on November 30 for one day, alongside colleagues from other trade unions. The CSP will reach agreement with individual employers about emergency cover in preparation for any potential industrial action. CSP Scotland members will be working to ensure that emergency cover and patient safety is maintained. The full result for the ballot in England and Wales was:
Yes 11,123 (86 per cent)
No 1,808 (14 per cent)
Spoilt ballots 19
Total votes 12,931
Turnout 65 per cent
The full result for the ballot in Scotland was:
Yes 1,618 (89.1 per cent)
No 198 (10.9 per cent)
Spoilt ballots 1
Total 1,816
Turnout 74 per cent
Unite votes resounding YES to public sector strike action on November 30
Members of Unite, the country's biggest union, working in the public sector have voted resoundingly in favour of industrial action to defend their pensions.
Three in four of Unite members who voted have said `yes' to joining the national day of action on November 30. In Unite's three main aggregate ballots of health, civil service and local authority workers, 75 per cent of Unite members voted in favour of action on a turnout of 31 per cent.
Over 200 single employer ballots are also taking place, with positive results already in for workers in Mersey Tunnels, Greater Manchester Transport, Glasgow city council, Scottish Water, West Midlands Police Authority, Northern Ireland bus services, Cardiff buses, the British Film Institute, the British Museum and South Yorkshire Police.
Unite's members are now set to join millions of fellow public sector workers whose unions have already returned a `yes' vote, supported by the major medical professional unions which have pledged their full backing for the day.
The vote heaps further pressure upon the government to rethink its plans to force public sector workers to pay more and work longer, but for a poorer pension in retirement.
Commenting on the result, Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said: "Yet again public sector workers are telling the government that `enough is enough'. They have endured wages cuts, rising living costs and horrific job losses, as this government forces the less well off in this country to pay for the sins of the elite. They are not prepared to stomach this attack on their pensions, too.
"This is the courageous defence of their savings by the backbone of this country; the people who day in, day out, care for our young, our frail, our elderly, our homes, streets and parks; the people who, after decades of loyal service to this nation, will be lucky to have £5,600 per year to live on.
"One in five people in this country - some 12 million adults - either pay into or are in receipt of a public sector pension. Now this government wants to take that away from them, forcing families to find in many cases hundreds of pounds more per month for their pension, at a time when simply making ends meet is so tough.
"On November 30, we fully expect millions of public sector workers and their supporters to show their disgust at the government's plans. If the government seriously wants to avert a long dispute and heal the divisions it is causing, it needs to get back round the table with some sensible plans for solving the problems it alone has caused."
In Scotland, a deal has been struck with the Scottish government to freeze the increase in contributions of local government employees. While Unite sees this as progress, wage freezes, the change in contribution calculation for all public workers coupled with the increase in retirement age means that workers will still be paying more for less.
For all public sector workers in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the change in the way the pensions are calculated from RPI to CPI will see 15 per cent automatically wiped off the value of pensions. Unite is one of a group of unions currently challenging this move in the High Court.
Scottish Campaign News
... the latest news from the campaign in Scotland
Government using misleading data on nurses pay
8th November 2011
The government is using misleading data to attempt to manipulate public opinion over public sector pensions, according to a new analysis by UNITE
Ministers claim that a nurse with a full career, retiring on a salary of £34,200 would receive a pension of £22,800 a year under the proposed new scheme, but under current arrangements would only get £17,300.
But Unite’s analysis says this is based on a false comparison. The government is comparing the pension of a nurse working for 43 years and retiring at 68 in the new scheme with a nurse working for 35 years and retiring at 60 in the current scheme. So under the proposed scheme the pension quoted involves working and contributing for eight years more and receiving the pension for eight years less.
Unite calculations indicate that if a like for like basis of comparison is made, based on working to the same age and the same length of service, then the proposed scheme produces worse benefits at every age up to 68. Retiring at age 60, at the top of pay band 6, earning £34,200 the nurse would be 40 per cent worse off and at 65 the nurse would be 20 per cent worse off.
Nurses and many other public sector workers will face a 50 per cent increase in their contributions, costing the nurse a further £1000 a year gross, or £65 a month after tax.
For the full story and other latest news from the TUC website go here
Prospect, First Division Association and Society of Radiographers all vote for action
Professional and specialist civil servants have voted by three to one to take industrial action over pensions.
For Prospect members, An overwhelming majority of 75%-25% was recorded by Prospect from 30,000 members in more than 120 government departments, agencies and non-departmental public bodies in favour of strike action on 30 November.
After a ballot lasting three weeks, members voted for action by 12,699 votes to 4,126, according to Electoral Reform Services. Turnout was 52%.
A total of 81% of FDA members who voted in the ballot to support industrial action in the current dispute over the Government's plans to reform public sector pension arrangements voted 'Yes'. The ballot turnout was 54%.
The FDA is likely - at a meeting tomorrow of the union's Executive Committee - to call upon its members to take strike action as part of the TUC Day of Action on 30 November. At the same time the union prepares for action, it also remains committed to continue negotiations with the Government.
Society of Radiographers members voting have voted overwhelmingly (84% YES) to support the nationwide Day of Action due to be taken by public sector unions on 30 November in opposition to government plans to reform pensions.
Thirteen unions representing more than one million public sector workers have now voted to back industrial action over pensions at the end of the month. Another 13 have still to declare.
EIS Vote YES
More than 82% of EIS members voted to strike on a 54% turnout.
Members of the Association of Headteachers and Deputes in Scotland also voted for a day of strike action, but have yet to name a date.
EIS general secretary Ronnie Smith, said: "This 82% vote for strike action is the strongest indication so far that the patience of teachers and lecturers has been exhausted.
"Faced with a wide ranging attack on their pensions, on top of a two-year pay freeze, rampant inflation and education budget cuts, our members are signalling that 'enough is enough'.
"Teachers and lecturers are highly committed professionals who do not decide lightly to strike ”
"Teachers and lecturers are highly committed professionals who do not decide lightly to strike - it is more than two decades since the last national strike action. However, the pensions 'triple whammy' of being compelled to pay more, work longer and get less has to be challenged."
Mr Smith said teachers wanted to see further progress from the government on pensions and "concrete proposals" specific to schemes in Scotland.
Ballot Result - 82.2% Vote for Industrial Action Turnout: 54.2% Total number of votes cast: 29,736 Number voting "YES”: 24,426 Number voting "NO”: 5,276 Spoiled voting papers: 34
Unite furious at AEGON decision to close final salary pension
8 November 2011
David Fleming, Unite national officer, said: “Unite is furious that AEGON is to close its final salary pension scheme. The closure of the pension scheme is a clear example of another finance company ruthlessly following the trend of others who are denying their workforce good provision in retirement. Why is this profitable organisation taking away the good pension provision which the workforce have earned?
“Unite is demanding that AEGON reconsider this position - there is no reason to make this change. We will vigorously oppose this attempt to attack our members’ benefits. This assault on member’s benefits comes at a time when public sector workers are also fighting to defend their pensions.”
Huge ‘Yes’ vote from chiropodists and podiatrists to strike over pensions
For the first time in history, chiropodists and podiatrists in the NHS voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action to protect their pensions.
With a turnout of 52 per cent, 85 per cent of podiatrists voted in favour of taking action on 30 November, joining other public sector workers.
Eddie Saville, employment relations director at The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists, said,
“Chiropodists and podiatrists care deeply about their patients, and it is regrettable that they have been forced, for the first time ever, to take strike action. However, the Government proposals mean that they will be working longer, paying a lot more, and receiving much less. This is in addition to ‘cost-efficiencies’ that have already seen podiatrists made redundant and a pay freeze.
“Recent proposals by Government to finally start meaningful negotiations have been welcome but these proposals have fallen short; however, the message from chiropodists and podiatrists is clear that we wish to continue negotiations to reach a settlement, but plans are now being made to take action on 30 November to protect their pensions.”
The results of the ballot were:
Number voting YES ................ 1,582 (85.3%)
Number voting NO ................. 273 (14.7%)
The Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association Votes For Strike Action Over Pensions
The Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association, representing 9000 teachers in Scottish secondary schools today announced that it would ask its members to take strike action on Wednesday 30 November over the issue of teachers’ pensions. In a message to members, General Secretary, Ann Ballinger announced the result.
Results of Voting: Response was 66.3%
Question: Are you prepared to take part in discontinuous strike action?
Number voting Yes 79.19% of valid vote
Number voting No 20.81% of valid vote
Ms Ballinger then added “The view of the members is clear. We regret that the Government has done nothing to change its view on the more damaging aspects of its pension proposals. The SSTA would in particular comment on the proposal to increase the retirement age for all teachers initially to 65 and by stages to at least 68.
The SSTA has no objection to teachers having to pay more for their pensions if the case for increases can be substantiated. The Government has already indicated that it will increase contribution rates by 50% by the year 2014-2015. The SSTA does not accept that there is any case that retirement ages should also rise. Government proposals for “transitional arrangements” are not enough. Commenting further on Government pronouncements on the matter, Ms Ballinger added
“In all of its propaganda relating to public sector pensions the Government trumpets that the low to middle paid are being protected. The Government forgets the 50% contribution increase which will apply to even low paid teachers and never mentions the increased retirement age. An additional eight years is an extra 20% on an average career.
“Despite requests to provide relevant statistics, the Government has totally failed to show what mortality rates will be if public sector workers need to work eight years longer (in order to achieve a lower pension). The view expressed by the Government’s actuaries is that mortality rates are “assumed” to be the same for retiral at age 68 as at age 60. The reason for the assumption is no more than “we have no evidence one way or the other”. This level of reasoning is totally unacceptable in any issue let alone one as serious as workers’ pensions.
“The result of all of Government’s thinking is that Scottish education will suffer and standards will deteriorate as our young people are increasingly taught by teachers whose enthusiasm has been drastically reduced on the basis that they expected to be retired years ago”.
Ms Ballinger commented on the effect of the strike. “It is now virtually certain that 99% or more of Scotland’s primary and secondary schools will be closed on 30 November. The ball seems glued to the floor on the Government’s side of the court. Is there any willingness on the part of the current Government to see the damage being done? Perhaps the matter is clearer if we ask what interest the current Government really has in the provision of good public services generally but in particular of a good state education service. How many of the current Cabinet would have a clue?” The latest Government threat that the current “offer” will be withdrawn if strikes go ahead exhibits the level of thinking prevalent in the current Westminster Government. We see an approach to public service which would be on a par with that expected from a Victorian millowner for whom every penny spent on the workforce is seen as a disaster.”
Audit Scotland Members to Strike for First Time
Public and Commercial Services (PCS) members in Audit Scotland are to take strike action for the first time in their history.
Members voted by a margin of 2:1 in favour, 56% turnout in a ballot announced today.
They will now join hundreds of thousands of other public sector workers in Scotland who will be taking strike action on 30th November. Workers across the public sector are united in their determination to fight for the pensions against a background of a 2 year pay freeze.
PCS continues to argue for an alternative that would see investment in public services and collection of the billions of evaded and avoided taxes instead of an onslaught against public sector workers who are paying the price for the UK Government’s failed economic strategy.
Lynn Henderson, PCS Scottish Secretary, said: “ 30th November will see the biggest day of action in the UK for generations. Across Scotland ordinary public sector workers who provide key services in every community will be standing together to say they’ve had enough of the vicious attacks on their pensions, pay and jobs.
I am delighted that our members in Audit Scotland will be joining other PCS members on the 30th – we are stronger together and together we are determined to make the case for an alternative to the Tory Lib Dem deficit reduction onslaught. We will not stand back and see the livelihoods of our members sacrificed by Tory ideology”.
GMB Members Vote by 4 to 1 Majority in Favour of Strike Action on Pensions
It is not too late for the government to pull back from this confrontation and scrap this attack on pensions says GMB
GMB members working in local government, the NHS and the civil service across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have voted by more than 4 to 1 in favour of strike action on 30 November to defend their pensions.
Turnout was 33% across all GMB members balloted in the many thousands of employers across UK. GMB is now conveying the results to these employers and GMB members who were balloted. The full results will be published on GMB website http://www.gmb.org.uk/ in due course.
Brian Strutton GMB National Secretary for public services said “GMB members have resoundingly said “Yes” to strike action and “No” to the government’s raid on their pensions.
It is now clear that millions of workers will be protesting on November 30th at the Government’s attack on jobs and pensions. The government have already accepted that the original proposals were unfair and wrong. It is not too late for the government to pull back from this confrontation and scrap this attack on pensions”
UNISON Votes YES
Members of UNISON, the UK’s largest union, have today voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action to protect their pensions.
The union balloted members including nurses, schools staff, social workers, care assistants, water staff, paramedics, police staff, school dinner ladies, and cleaners.
Overall: Yes: 245,358
No: 70,253
Local Government (Including Scotland)
Yes 171,428
No 54,500
76% in favour – Turnout 30%
NHS (including Scotland)
Yes 73,930
No 15,753
82% in favour – Turnout 25%
Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON said:
The decisive yes vote in the ballot, reflects the deep concern that our members have over Government ministers’ proposals for their pensions. Yesterday’s statement in Parliament was a marked improvement on earlier proposals.
But, it is important to understand that the statement has to be translated into offers in the scheme specific talks. We still have had no offer in those negotiations, where such an offer can legitimately be made.
We support the TUC day of action on 30 November, but will be negotiating right up to then and beyond to get a fair deal for our members. Senior lay officials of the union are meeting throughout the afternoon to discuss the latest Government statement on pensions and to decide what action to take as a result of the strike ballot. Separate figures for Scotland because there are separate public sector pension schemes.
Local Government Scotland
Yes 21,799
No 7881
73% in favour - Turnout 32%
NHS Scotland
Yes 13,236
No 1,880
88% in favour - Turnout 33%
Labour and Greens in the Scottish Parliament support November 30th action.
Labour leader in the Scottish Parliament Ian Gray has today written to public sector unions in the following terms:
'The Labour group at Holyrood today took the decision to oppose the business motion in Parliament tomorrow to schedule a programme for 30th November. We do so in support of the day of action being taken by your and other trade unions. We do not believe that the Parliament should continue with business as usual while tens of thousands of workers take to the streets. They are being asked to pay the price for a crisis they did not create.
Labour group members at the meeting today signalled their intention to join demonstrations and protests in their constituencies to support local people in their fight. I will be doing so also.'
Scottish Green MSPs have provided consistent support to trade unions over recent weeks
Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary said:
"Labour's Scottish MSPs' decision to give a day of solidarity to Scotland's women and men taking action for pensions justice on 30th November is a tremendous boost.
"Nearly a quarter of Scotland's workers stand to lose from the Coalition's pensions raid. To know that such a substantial number of their representatives in the Scottish Parliament are prepared to march alongside them will go a long way to restoring their faith in the political process.
"We are grateful for the significant support provided over recent weeks by the Scottish Green Party"