For those who work in the public sector (pensions)

[Sunshine on Leith]

I've just had my ballot paper sent through the door RE: strike action on 28th March.


For those who work with local goverment will know that the pension scheme is under attack. From October 1st this year, Brown or is it Blair
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has decided to change the pension scheme to force people to work to 65 by cutting benefits for those who retire earlier.

I'll be voting YES. What will you do?
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[erskine-hibby]

Originally Posted by Sunshine on Leith

I've just had my ballot paper sent through the door RE: strike action on 28th March.


For those who work with local goverment will know that the pension scheme is under attack. From October 1st this year, Brown or is it Blair
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has decided to change the pension scheme to force people to work to 65 by cutting benefits for those who retire earlier.

I'll be voting YES. What will you do?
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I don't work in the public sector, but i don't see why they should be any different to those in the private sector when it comes to retirement age.

[Smurf]

Originally Posted by erskine-hibby

I don't work in the public sector, but i don't see why they should be any different to those in the private sector when it comes to retirement age.

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[Sunshine on Leith]

[quote=erskine-hibby]I don't work in the public sector,QUOTE]


So it's n/a to you.
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[erskine-hibby]

[quote=Sunshine on Leith]

Originally Posted by erskine-hibby

I don't work in the public sector,QUOTE]


So it's n/a to you.
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So i'm not allowed an opinion then
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[Sunshine on Leith]

[quote=erskine-hibby]

Originally Posted by Sunshine on Leith

So i'm not allowed an opinion then
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Of course you are. Hence the wink
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[erskine-hibby]

[quote=Sunshine on Leith]

Originally Posted by erskine-hibby

Of course you are. Hence the wink
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Aye, i saw that was just baiting you
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[Colr]

Originally Posted by erskine-hibby

I don't work in the public sector, but i don't see why they should be any different to those in the private sector when it comes to retirement age.

Because the pay is crap as are a lot of the jobs. The pension was one of the few sweeteners - I forsee recruitment problems.

[Sunshine on Leith]

Originally Posted by Colr

Because the pay is crap as are a lot of the jobs. The pension was one of the few sweeteners - I forsee recruitment problems.

Spot on Colr. £6.00 odds an hour for a home help the same for a Jannie.

Do you know that PS janitors work a 12 hour shift 6 to 6 but get paid 8hrs. They do get a 4 hour break in between but unless you stay near the school it aint worth a sook.
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[Smurf]

Originally Posted by Colr

Because the pay is crap as are a lot of the jobs. The pension was one of the few sweeteners - I forsee recruitment problems.

Nonsense. I read last week that average pay in the public sector is greater than the private sector.

[wee 162]

Originally Posted by erskine-hibby

I don't work in the public sector, but i don't see why they should be any different to those in the private sector when it comes to retirement age.

Because the government are trying to change the terms and conditions of peoples pensions because they made a **** of their sums.

Let's say your employer turned round and said you have to work an extra 5 hours a week for no extra benefit. Would you be remotely happy about it, and would you perhaps think industrial action might be an appropriate response? The reason I am saying an extra 5 hours is because I am comparing a working life of 40 years being extended to 45.

[wee 162]

Originally Posted by Smurf

Nonsense. I read last week that average pay in the public sector is greater than the private sector.

Source? Cause that is simply not true.

[egb_hibs]

Al, they didn't feck up 'their sums' - the entire economy has changed, and more to the point, people are living much much longer.

Maybe the strike ballot should also have an option demanding 3 foreign holidays a year. Just send the rest of us the bill when yer done chaps.

[egb_hibs]

Originally Posted by wee 162

Source? Cause that is simply not true.

not sure if thats true or not, but i've think i've heard on the radio in articles about this, that the gap that used to exist is now largely gone. not sure though.

[wee 162]

Of course they fecked up their sums. You've just defined what fecking up your sums is!

[Colr]

Originally Posted by Smurf

Nonsense. I read last week that average pay in the public sector is greater than the private sector.

Your figures must be misleading. On a like for like basis they pay less. the pension was part of the pay and conditions package people signed up for. Its like being asked to vote for a pay cut.

[wee 162]

In terms of average wage? So that will mean you are comparing people like doctors, and teachers with people working at MacDonalds.

If you compare similar jobs like for like the private sector pays a lot more.

[deltinghibby]

The goal posts should not be changed just because the govt. has greater financial problems than it thought. It seems to be able to fund wars at the drop of a hat in any case.
How would the govt. react if the public sector unions suddenly decided that they should retire at 55? The govt.would tell them to piss off and rightly so. Don't forget that the politicians recently awarded themselves very generous pension deals.
If we must increase the retirment age it should be applicable to those just starting off so everything is agreed, clear and above board.

[Colr]

Originally Posted by deltinghibby

The goal posts should not be changed just because the govt. has greater financial problems than it thought. It seems to be able to fund wars at the drop of a hat in any case.
How would the govt. react if the public sector unions suddenly decided that they should retire at 55? The govt.would tell them to piss off and rightly so. Don't forget that the politicians recently awarded themselves very generous pension deals.
If we must increase the retirment age it should be applicable to those just starting off so everything is agreed, clear and above board.

When I was in local government, they Tories re-organised the system which lead to loads of (very) senior staff being offered early retirement with half saleries and £30,000 lump sums tax free. As these guy were pretty senior, they had no rouble getting very well paid jobs on the outside. That may be a big reason why they are in trouble now - mismanagement.

[Smurf]

Originally Posted by wee 162

Source? Cause that is simply not true.

I can't remember but i think i got it from listening to...Andrew Neil on This Week..
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[HenryLB]

Originally Posted by wee 162

Source? Cause that is simply not true.

It is I'm afraid. ONS report confirms it. According to their annual survey of hours and earnings, workers in the public sector saw their gross average weekly pay rise 4.1 per cent to £475.10 for the year to the end of April 2005. In the same period, private sector wages climbed 2.5 per cent to a mean of £413.10.

Here's the latest from last week:

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And there was a piece in the Times recently which reported that average public sector pay increases are now 7.6 per cent while the private sector manages just 3.4 per cent. And, hour for hour, public sector jobs carry a salary 17 per cent higher.

Public sector workers also have better holidays and pensions, take more days off due to sickness and are on average less productive than private sector employees.