Strike Action - Page 2

entwisi · 28-03-2006, 05:19

Where do I apply for my refund on my council tax?

lettie · 28-03-2006, 07:10

I can't speak for council workers but I can speak for midwives and nurses and say that working until 65 or 70 would be completely impossible.

At present, nursing staff can still retire earlier, similar to the police and fire services. We won't be entitled to state pensions any earlier than anybody else, it will be our own pensions that we access from 60 ish, or so I believe. Pensions that some of us will have paid into for 40 years, in other words.......our money.

It has always been understood within nursing that as public sector workers we have had much worse pay and conditions than private sector workers. Early retirement was the only perk, in return for years of underpaid service. I know that if I'd have worked privately as a nurse, I would have earned more and had more perks of the job. However, I would have had to contribute much more to a private pension in order to get the same benefits, so ultimately it wasn't worth the extra money working in the private sector.

I do think that there are many jobs which would be detrimental to the health of the worker, if they were to do them beyond the age of 60. Being a desk jockey is not one of them. I can understand the care assistants protesting, it can be a heavy, nasty job wiping bums for a living, but council office workers........

mez · 28-03-2006, 08:37

yes but i draw my pension & a private pension that i paid into & i get taxed on the private one & its not much either that im getting so do we win? is it worth it?

Neil · 28-03-2006, 08:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by lettie

I do think that there are many jobs which would be detrimental to the health of the worker, if they were to do them beyond the age of 60.

And that goes for workers in the real world as well.
Am I supposed to expect my 60 year old electrition to be as able as my 24 year old one. Would any 60 year old's like to try climbing a 40 foot vertical ladder to check a fan motor is ok, repairs faulty gantry cranes 45 feet from the ground above a melt furnace ( its a tad warm up there ) or work 5 feet from cast iron pouring at 1400 degrees centigrade?
So what shall I do fire him becasue he may not be as capable as he once was or look after him by giving him lighter type jobs as often as I can?

WillowTheWhisp · 28-03-2006, 09:05

Yep I agree with entwisi and A-b here. I can't see people getting much sympathetic support for wanting a better situation for themselves than the people have who are going to be paying for it.

My kids are at school as usual. One just missed out on a trip but that will take place later.

Neil · 28-03-2006, 09:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sara

Just out of curiosity i'm wondering how many Accy Web members are on strike tomorrow, fighting for their pension rights? (I'm on strike.)

Just out of curiosity i'm wondering what it is you are striking for Sara? I am a little confused by this pension thing so any information would help.

harwood red · 28-03-2006, 09:33

I might be able to help on that one Neil. It's about what they call the 85 year rule. Currently if your age and your continuous length of service comes to 85 years then you will be entitled to a full pension when reaching the age of 60. This is the part they are trying to abolish.

But the rules on state pension remain the same as everyone else.

WillowTheWhisp · 28-03-2006, 09:35

So you have to have been continuously employed in the same thingummy for 25 years minumum?

harwood red · 28-03-2006, 09:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp

So you have to have been continuously employed in the same thingummy for 25 years minumum?

yep that sounds about right. I joined the scheme at the age of 31, I would only satisfy the 85 year rule after working to the age of 58. (58 years old + 27 years service). But it doesn't mean everyone can just retire when they reach that age and if they do they don't just get the pension paid out! unless they take a reduction.

I understand what people are saying about why should this pension be any different than others, but then why should we accept changes to something we signed up for!! And we do pay quite a large contribution, so no it's not paid for by the govt!
Strike was a last resort as this has been discussed back and forth for over a year. As I have mentioned before I am not on strike today as I am not part of a union, but I have taken leave to show my support as the pension issue does affect me!

Tealeaf · 28-03-2006, 09:49

I saw 'em too, this morning. The only thing they got off me was a very clear "V" sign; it was not for victory.

WillowTheWhisp · 28-03-2006, 09:58

I can see your point about why should you accept changes to something you signed up for. Are you saying this was part of a contract and that now one party to the contract has decided to move the goal posts?

harwood red · 28-03-2006, 10:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp

I can see your point about why should you accept changes to something you signed up for. Are you saying this was part of a contract and that now one party to the contract has decided to move the goal posts?

thats it exactly willow. Its a bit like signing up for a fixed mortgage and then suddenly being told oh we're stopping that now before the term of the agreement ends. If they were to say anyone who now joins the scheme will not have this clause in their pension then thats fair enough as you have the choice to sign or not. But to make an agreement and then just accept any changes they feel like making.... why should anyone accept that???

Gayle · 28-03-2006, 11:46

I work underneath a council building (we rent space off them) and they control our heating. They are all on strike today and have turned the heating off. I'm sat here in my coat and scarf with a mini heater pointed at me and it's still cold.

entwisi · 28-03-2006, 12:11

Office buildings must be over 16 C or you can go home on full pay

Sara · 28-03-2006, 14:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

Just out of curiosity i'm wondering what it is you are striking for Sara? I am a little confused by this pension thing so any information would help.

HR said it all Neil, so i won't repeat what she's said. But i signed up for the pension 12+ years ago, expecting to retire at 60 but now they're saying i can't retire with a pension until i'm 65. And i certainly don't want to work until i'm 65.