Retired Members Support The Unions Day Of Strike Action On November 30th

Retired Members Should Actively Support The Day Of Action By The Unions In Defence Of Pensions On November 30th

The Midlands TUC Retired Pensioners Network Executive Meeting held today, noted that so far 20 unions, with members in the public sector under the auspices of the TUC have taken the decision to ballet their members for strike action, which is due to take place on November 30th. This action is being taken in support of their members occupation pension schemes, which are under attack by this Coalition Government, which claims that public servants and people who work in Local Government have gold plated pensions which are paid for by the British Tax payer, This is a crude attempt to cause a rift between those who work in the private and public sector. Many people who work in the private sector have had their Final salary Schemes either closed to new starters or have been changed into money purchase schemes, which give a much reduced return at the time of retirement. The Government is determined to make those who work in the public sector pay more (extra 3%) and receive a considerably reduced pension at retirement age, This seems to us to be grossly unfair as many of those people are low paid and with the current pay freeze and rapidly rising cost of living, many will have no option but to drop out of the their pension schemes, which will eventually render the schemes unable to function effectively, as they will have liabilities, but fewer members paying in.

The TUC on Wednesday last did pass a resolution which effectively commits the unions to support all pensions and thus recognises that that the state pension must also be defended as it is an important increment in the financial income of many pensioners, and must be protected from becoming less valuable. The Government decision to charge future increase in the state pension from PRI to CBI will cost many pensioners, thousands of pounds over their lifetime. We take the view that whether members vote to take industrial action on November 30th is a decision for them only, but when they take the decision to strike we as retired members should give support, and be seen to support them in public. This can take many forms depending on how the day is organised in different areas of the country, there may be scope for visiting picket lines. It is more than likely that in the larger cities that Rallies will be organised, and we pensioners should be conspicuous by our presence. Pensioner groups and trade union RMA groups should get involved with their local action committees and where possible get on the platform and speak in support of the strike action in support of Pensions. We must not hesitate to demonstrate that we are opposed to the policies of this Government, and will support those who are fighting to preserve a reasonable standard of living for when they retire. On November 30th do not forget that their fight is our fight, please get involved. neither should we forget that the extra money that the local Government employee's will pay towards their pensions; will not go to improve their pensions, but staight into the Treasury coffers. It simply becomes just another form of stealt tax.