this day of action surely is not about lining pockets its about cuts to pensions,paying more for longer and getting LESS

Less relative to what though? It's still a good deal. Just not quite as good as it was.



Anyway, what are pensions about if not lining pockets? The reason I pay into my pension is to try to ensure my pockets remain lined later in life.

I'm not too chuffed about it myself, but I'm not so narrow-minded that I don't appreciate that it is still a relatively good deal.

Its your choice and like I said I would not show you any animosity for working and I am getting a moderate final salary pension ,but it would be less than moderate if it was paid at an average.

It all depends on how you define lining pockets .I would call lining of pockets by getting money by doing something shady,like the bankers did when they caused the finacial crisis.

Not read all the post, but do know that in teaching, staff are not allowed to be brought in to replace striking members of staff.

I am striking too btw.





Edit: After having read some of the thread, the issue for me is this. It is not about crossing the picket lline, it is about covering someone elses job.

Sorry but that is a big no no for me.

I support any individuals right to strike.



I support any individual's right to not strike.



I wonder what difference this strike action will actually make?



I wonder if the pension's remained at their current level, how many people will have to lose their jobs to fund them?



When there isn't enough money to sustain the current situation, then the situation must change.



What I haven't seen from the Union leaders is an alternative plan, which will protect both the current terms and conditions of the workforce and not cost the country a (currently) unsustainable amount in return. Once I do see one, I might have a bit more sympathy with the unions. I already sympathise with those who are at risk of losing their job or having their terms eroded.

every worker has their right to withdraw their labour



every worker has a right to work



the only thing that matters is what is right for you. We all have different thought,ideas,motives and reasons to do what e do and say when it comes to breaking a strike and crossing a pickett line.



things to think of



Iam a greedy barsteward for taking the kings shilling why do i need the money?

can i afford to loose money will my family be able to live and eat?

will i be in debt to anyone?

what do my colleagues think of me when its all over?

is the job safe if we loose?

will i be out of work?

My union, UCU, has put forward alternative proposals, it did several months ago. I would imagine other unions did the same. Our pension scheme is extremely well run & financially healthy. Because those in the private sector, many on much higher salaries, chose to put their wages in extremely poorly managed schemes we are expected by equally suffer. What a sad state we have slipped into.

Tigertot, is there a link to the proposals so I could take a look at them and decide for myself if I think it would work?



I'm not against Unions, they can be a very powerful tool for protecting those who are unable to protect themselves, however I do have a (possibly misguided) view that the Unions have become self serving, politically motiviated vehicles for the individuals leading them, and have lost touch with the prinicple they exist for. I suppose you could say the same about the current and last few governments that this country has had too...

Quote batleyrhino="batleyrhino"Tigertot, is there a link to the proposals so I could take a look at them and decide for myself if I think it would work? I'm not against Unions, they can be a very powerful tool for protecting those who are unable to protect themselves, however I do have a (possibly misguided) view that the [uUnions have become self serving, politically motiviated vehicles for the individuals leading them, and have lost touch with the prinicple they exist for[/u. I suppose you could say the same about the current and last few governments that this country has had too...'" That's hardly surprising given the example set by Chief Executives & Boards of Directors. Talk about self-serving hypocrites!!! For those in any doubt I suggest you look at this: www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15827683

Quote batleyrhino="batleyrhino"Tigertot, is there a link to the proposals so I could take a look at them and decide for myself if I think it would work? I'm not against Unions, they can be a very powerful tool for protecting those who are unable to protect themselves, however I do have a (possibly misguided) view that the [uUnions have become self serving, politically motiviated vehicles for the individuals leading them, and have lost touch with the prinicple they exist for[/u. I suppose you could say the same about the current and last few governments that this country has had too...'" That's hardly surprising given the example set by Chief Executives & Boards of Directors. Talk about self-serving hypocrites!!! For those in any doubt I suggest you look at this: www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15827683

Slightly off topic, but I saw some of the news yesterday talking about Top Bosses pay & bonuses and I was dismayed at the poor standard of journalism / balanced view that was given. They even trotted out a hair dresser who seemed to think that 'working in a bank was not that hard' when talking about the head or Barclays, and seemed to think their jobs were equivalent because she was standing up all day. Many people don't seem to realise that the job market is precisely that, a market. You aren't paid in proportion to how unpleasant the job is to do, its generally in proportion to how skilled you are at teh things that matter, and how many other people there are with a similar skillset (or the ability to attain that skill level).



One interesting piece was that people didn't think Top Bosses should earn as much as footballers. Whilst I do think that both are paid obscene amounts of money I can see how they are equivalent. Both sets of people are in a position they are because they have shown talent that few others have. They are also lucky enough that their talent enables a wider organisation to generate huge revenues. Its these reasons why they are paid so much, becuase even though they are paid obscene amounts of money, they generate many times that through doing the job.



If you answer phones in an office, or cut hair, or clean bins, it may not be that pleasant, but your contribution to that company does not have so much impact on the profit of that company as someone in a higher position.