Tag Archives: Pensions

UCU to join Strike Action on the 30th

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University staff in the UCU have voted for strike action in the row over changes to public sector pensions.

Members of the University and College Union (UCU) in the Scottish Teachers’ Superannuation Scheme (STSS) voted by 2:1 to take strike action in protest at changes to their pensions that would see them pay more and work longer in exchange for reduced benefits in retirement.

The Union will now join a host of other public sector unions in co-ordinated action on Wednesday 30 November.

Despite the fact that the STSS pension scheme is a devolved matter, the Scottish government will be implementing the increase in employee contributions in 2012/13 in line with the Westminster proposals.

UCU Scottish official, Mary Senior, said:

‘UCU members have shown they are opposed to the changes that will see them pay more and work longer in exchange for reduced benefits in retirement. Members will take strike action to defend their pensions joining our members in all universities and all Scottish education unions along with around three million trade union members across the UK on 30 November.

‘The Scottish Government should work with the unions to seek a resolution to the dispute and not simply impose changes to pensions that will result in lecturers paying an extra £90 a month in exchange for reduced benefits.’

Ensure UCU joins with EIS, Unison and Unite – Vote ‘YES’

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Defend Our Pensions
Vote ‘YES’ for Strike Action on Nov 30th
Ballot Closes tomorrow so VOTE TODAY

http://www.ucu.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=5815

The changes proposed to your pension are an attack on your pension rights – including:

  • Raising your contributions
  • Switching from RPI to CPI
  • Raising the retirement age
  • Possibly switching from a final salary scheme to an average salary scheme

All of these changes would be detrimental to your pension prospects. UCU believes these proposals are unnecessary and are part of a politically motivated attack on the public sector. UCU is balloting its members, urging members to oppose these proposals and to vote for strike action to support our opposition.

The ballot closes on Friday 18th November, so today and tomorrow provides the last chance for you to return your ballot papers and send a clear message to the Government that we oppose their attack on our pension scheme.

Please ensure that you vote to defend pensions, and to join with other public sector unions in taking strike action to save pensions on 30 November 2011.

Unite union calls for positive vote for strike action on the 30th November.

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According to Unite: “The government is bringing forward a series of proposals which threaten to greatly reduce the pension benefits and increase their cost to members working in the public services.
Unite has tried to negotiate a fair settlement with the government but the government refuses to hear workers’ concerns.
The proposals threaten public sector pensions by:
•    Lower pension increases
•    Higher contributions
•    Lower quality benefits
•    Ending final salary pensions
•    Raising the pension age
•    No protection if you are contracted-out
•    Imposition not negotiation
Your future is at stake – Vote  Yes for Strike Action November 30th”

“We are urging UCU members to back strike action to defend pensions” – Gordon Watson, UCU President

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UCU Strike ballot opens in pensions row

UCU members in Scotland are being balloted for strike action in the row over changes to public sector pensions.
Members in the Scottish Teachers’ Superannuation Scheme (STSS) are being asked if they are prepared to take strike action in protest at changes to their pensions that would see them pay more and work longer in exchange for reduced benefits in retirement.
If they back the action then UCU members  will join a host of other public sector unions in co-ordinated action on Wednesday 30 November.
Despite the fact that the STSS pension scheme is a devolved matter, the Scottish government will be implementing the increase in employee contributions in 2012/13 in line with the Westminster proposals.
UCU Scotland president, Gordon Watson, said: ‘We are urging UCU members to back strike action to defend their pensions. Members of all Scottish education unions are being balloted along with around three million trade union members across the UK.

UNISON members vote Yes to action on November 30th

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(03/11/11) UNISON members have voted Yes to industrial action to defend pensions in the biggest trade union ballot ever held, by 245,358 votes to 70,253.

Commenting on the result, general secretary Dave Prentis 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,” added Mr Prentis, “but will be negotiating right up to then and beyond to get a fair deal for our members.”

EIS Votes for Industrial Action on 30th November – 82%

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EIS members Back Industrial Action – Strike day set for 30 November

Teacher and lecturer members of Scotland’s largest teaching union, have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action in protest at plans to impose damaging changes to public sector pension schemes.
As a result of this “YES” vote, EIS members are expected to join workers from across the public sector in a day of strike action on 30 November. This will be the first national strike by EIS members in almost quarter of a century.
Commenting on the result, 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.

The ballot results were:
Voting YES:  24, 426 – 82.2%
Voting NO:   5,276 – 17.8%
Turnout:   54.2%