Working together to defend your pension

The campaign to defend your pension

What trade unions are doing

What you can do

Government has lost the argument

On June 30th

• Francis Maude, government minister, was left literally speechless by Mark Serwotka of the PCS on Radio 4 when discussing the government’s key argument of affordability

• Later that day he was removed from two further media appearances

• Media sources also tell us that other government ministers refused to go on the media and argue that our pensions are unaffordable

• Opinion polls taken on June 30th showed significant support for the strike

Government has lost the confidence of the teaching profession

• Seven teacher union logos speak for themselves

• A recent opinion poll showed 90% of teachers have no confidence in government education policy

Our case is very simple• Our pensions are affordable

• We agreed cost sharing changes to the scheme in 2006

• These changes are bringing about the desired savings and costs are falling

• The government has not carried out a valuation of our scheme

• They therefore have no evidence that these changes are necessary

Pay more, work longer, get less• Up to 50% increase in pension contribution and more

• Work to age 68 and longer

• Pension age linked to state pension age

• Move to career average

• Change indexation to CPI (lower than RPI)

• The changes will cut the average pension by 1/3.

A pay freeze

• Your pay has been frozen for the next two years

• Institute of Fiscal Studies say government economic policies leading to 10% drop in living standards

Part-time teachers will pay contribution based on full-time salary

Pay Band Percentage of salary you will pay

Total monthly contributions

Amount extra you will pay EVERY month

M1 8.655 £195 £50M2 8.655 £204 £54M3 8.655 £217 £57M4 8.65 £227 £60M5 9.4 £265 £85M6 9.4 £285 £91UPS1 10.4 £360 £138UPS2 10.4 £377 £145UPS 3 10.4 £390 £150

What do you stand to lose each month?

Are our pensions “goldplated”?

• The average pension in payment from the Teachers’ Pension Scheme is just £10,000 a year. Only 5 per cent of pensions are for £20,000 or more.

• Average pension in local government is £4,000

• Your pension is your recompense for a lifetime in teaching.

• In a recent survey over 90% of teachers who responded agreed that the TPS is fair and affordable.

• The decision to attack your pension is political not economic.

The pensions crisis• The real pensions crisis is in the private sector

• Many schemes have been worsened

• But not one private sector worker will benefit from these changes

• You do not make equality by levelling down

• Some unions have launched a petition calling for improvements in state pension and private sector pensions

Joint lobby of Parliament

•Wednesday October 26th

•Half-term so will not disrupt education

•Aim is for every school to be represented

• Every school to return a petition

•Last chance for the Government to avoid further strike action

Further action?• NUT, ATL, UCU and PCS already have live ballots

• NAHT are currently balloting – their ballot closes on 9th Nov. NAHT members should ring 01444 472 472 (option 3) if ballot papers have not arrived by 12th Oct.

• NASUWT will ballot between 4th - 17th Nov. Their ballot hotline is 0121 453 6150.

• UNISON will ballot between 11th Oct and 3rd Nov. Their ballot hotline is 0845 355 0845.

• Other unions preparing to ballot:

• Teachers: UCAC • EIS

• Support staff: GMB • UNITE

• Others: FDA • PROSPECT • FDA • FBU • Health unions

• The anticipated strike date will be 30th November with 3 million public sector workers set to strike!

What can you do?• Hold a joint union meeting

• Get all staff to sign the joint unions petition

• Visit the website - www.decentpensions.org.uk

• E-mail your MP

• Make sure at least one delegate from your school is coming to the lobby of Parliament on 26th October. Cheap coach transport is being organised from Birmingham. For details call 0121 442 2031 or email banut@btclick.com with Lobby coach in the subject line.