Teacher Pension - Strikes

[Desmo]

I think I'm with the teachers on this one although I'm not 100% clued up on all the details, but surely there has to be a better solution that to strike? I don't see where it gets you in the long term...not enough people will support you.

What might be a better solution is to go in to school, get the kids in to school but then not do anything from the curriculum. Maybe just let the kids play or something. Do that for a few days and see what happens. I think you'll get more support from parents who haven't had their days disrupted at least.

[Grandad]

What they are refusing to accept the majority of us would be delighted to get

[Desmo]

No doubt about it, plenty of people in the private sector would like a half decent pension, but that doesn't change the fact that the rules have been changed. On the other hand, businesses change their rules and people also have to just deal with it or possibly just lose their jobs. It's certainly not a cut and dried situation.

[Grandad]

Originally Posted by Desmo

No doubt about it, plenty of people in the private sector would like a half decent pension, but that doesn't change the fact that the rules have been changed. On the other hand, businesses change their rules and people also have to just deal with it or possibly just lose their jobs. It's certainly not a cut and dried situation.

Yes, everyones pension rules are changing, my final salary pension went from 3% contribution to 12% and then was scrapped and I was put on defined contribution, investments are not making what theyw ere and these schemes are not viable any more

as an example of private sector I ghave had to put with

only 2 pay rises in 8 years, most of my colleagues have not had anything for 10 years

on call rates cut twice

overtime rates cut

car allowance frozen for 10 years

mileage allowance based on being paid on 30mpg to 35mpg

bonus scheme removed

share purchase scheme removed

lunch allowance removed

phone allowance removed

broadband payment cut by 60%

expenses allowances roughly halved



so while I have some sympathy I think it's time for people to wake up to the real world, some things such as base pay for nurses/military needs addressing but in general public service worker are not hard done to, the pay differentials have vanished and the security and benefits thrash the private sector even after the cuts

[Pickers]

I see what you are saying but;

Originally Posted by Grandad

on call rates cut twice

overtime rates cut

car allowance frozen for 10 years

mileage allowance based on being paid on 30mpg to 35mpg

bonus scheme removed

share purchase scheme removed

lunch allowance removed

phone allowance removed

broadband payment cut by 60%

expenses allowances roughly halved

All of the above, as a teacher, we dont get nor ever will get. The perk is the pension being "a great one", so your list of privaleges you've lost doesnt really compare .

To get into my job now, as a school leaver I'd be facing:

• 4 years at least at university @ £9k a year tuition racking up a horrendous £36k student debt (if not, more if living expenses are included) with no writing off of student debt for teachers (a perk taken away before I trained). O/T - I heard a minister saying that graduates on average will easily earn back expenses for student loan : - not if they become classroom teachers they wont!
• Lower than average graduate wages (for certain subjects at least)
• Frozen pay rates (for the moment)
• When commencing teaching, losing a hefty sum of every pay check to the student loan company.
• If opting in to TPS, greater contributions per month, leaving less monthly disposable income, AND given student debt repayments coping with the reality that the reduced pension is unlikely to be sufficient after retirement, especially if you leave the profession before 67.

And the government expect people to want to become teachers? It really is a bit of a farce.

[Grandad]

Originally Posted by Pickers

I see what you are saying but;



All of the above, as a teacher, we dont get nor ever will get. The perk is the pension being "a great one", so your list of privaleges you've lost doesnt really compare .

.

but the new pension offered is still pretty superb and the majority of people would be delighted to have it, the old one is unsustainable in the current climate

[Pickers]

Originally Posted by Grandad

but the new pension offered is still pretty superb and the majority of people would be delighted to have it, the old one is unsustainable in the current climate

Hmm the current one is sustainable for teachers. The problem is OTHER public sector pensions are not sustainable, and the teachers make for easy targets, it seems.

[Kitten]

whatever your thoughts, spare some for us getting egged as we cross the picket line tomorrow! We're not allowed to strike as we're not public sector, but we share a building and an account with those who are, so as usual, that'll be a true delight.

[Desmo]

You know I'm very placid, but I'd be wanting to chin any ****er that thought it was OK to egg me.

[Kitten]

"Please support us!"

"Ok!"

*thwack*

"Er, no, on second thoughts, I won't".