“FAIR PENSIONS ARE WORTH FIGHTING FOR”: GREEN MP SPEAKS OUT IN SUPPORT OF PUBLIC SECTOR WORKERS
Commenting ahead of the public sector strikes across the country tomorrow, Brighton Pavilion MP and leader of the Green party of England and Wales, Caroline Lucas, said:
“Many teachers and other public sector workers have contacted me over the past week to express hope that striking wouldn't be necessary – that the Prime Minister would start taking their pension concerns seriously. Sadly the Coalition Government’s relentless attack on this country’s public servants has left them with no choice.
“We know that public sector pensions are affordable – this is really about piling the UK’s debt burden onto the people who did the least to create it. I believe that fair pensions are worth fighting for, so I will be joining the picket lines in solidarity with my constituents who have been abandoned by the other main Westminster parties.
“This isn’'t something I do lightly. I regret the disruption caused by industrial action and think it must only be used in special circumstances – and would urge trade unions to work hard to ensure support from the wider public.
“Yet when teachers are being expected to pay 50% more in pension contributions, work longer and get less pension when they retire – and when negotiations are failing – targeted and considered action is clearly necessary.”
ENDS
Wednesday, 29 June 2011
Caroline on the Picket line
Thursday, 23 June 2011
Message from Sally Hunt (UCU) re pensions dispute 30/6/2011
Dear colleague,
On Thursday 30 June, hundreds of thousands of teachers and lecturers will be taking strike action to defend their pensions. I am writing to ask that you join them in taking strike action and attending one of the scores of rallies that will be taking place around the country. You can see a full list of rallies here: http://www.ucu.org.uk/30June
UCU will be joined by the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) in strike action to defend the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, while civil servants who are members of the PCS union will be taking strike action on the same day in defence of jobs, pay and pensions.
30 June will be one of the biggest days of industrial action for a long time and this is a measure of the widespread anger felt about the attack on public sector pensions and on the TPS.
If the government’s proposals go through, it will mean hard-pressed lecturers in Further and Higher Education working longer, paying greater contributions and losing tens of thousands of pounds over the course of their retirement.
We’re told that our members enjoy ‘gold-plated’ pensions. Yet the average man’s pension in FE is only £10,000, while the average woman’s pension is just over £6000 a year.
We’re told that it’s not fair that public sector workers should have better pensions than those in the private sector. I think that’s a scurrilous argument - that we should all embark on a race to the bottom because of the failure of private sector employers. Everyone has the right to a decent pension scheme in retirement.
We’re told that the government can’t understand why we are striking and not negotiating. Like the NUT and the ATL, we prefer negotiation to action and striking should always be a last resort. We’ve been talking through the TUC for months but now the government has made clear, in public, that it does not intend to compromise on the big issues.
That’s why I believe we need to join our colleagues in the NUT and the ATL in taking strike action next Thursday.
Please support the strike on Thursday and let’s help make this a national day of action across education that no one can ignore.
Yours
Sally Hunt
UCU General Secretary
To read our latest leaflet, click here: http://www.ucu.org.uk/media/pdf/g/6/tps_30juneflier.pdf
To read more on the campaign to defend TPS, click here: http://www.ucu.org.uk/tps-underattack
On Thursday 30 June, hundreds of thousands of teachers and lecturers will be taking strike action to defend their pensions. I am writing to ask that you join them in taking strike action and attending one of the scores of rallies that will be taking place around the country. You can see a full list of rallies here: http://www.ucu.org.uk/30June
UCU will be joined by the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) in strike action to defend the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, while civil servants who are members of the PCS union will be taking strike action on the same day in defence of jobs, pay and pensions.
30 June will be one of the biggest days of industrial action for a long time and this is a measure of the widespread anger felt about the attack on public sector pensions and on the TPS.
If the government’s proposals go through, it will mean hard-pressed lecturers in Further and Higher Education working longer, paying greater contributions and losing tens of thousands of pounds over the course of their retirement.
We’re told that our members enjoy ‘gold-plated’ pensions. Yet the average man’s pension in FE is only £10,000, while the average woman’s pension is just over £6000 a year.
We’re told that it’s not fair that public sector workers should have better pensions than those in the private sector. I think that’s a scurrilous argument - that we should all embark on a race to the bottom because of the failure of private sector employers. Everyone has the right to a decent pension scheme in retirement.
We’re told that the government can’t understand why we are striking and not negotiating. Like the NUT and the ATL, we prefer negotiation to action and striking should always be a last resort. We’ve been talking through the TUC for months but now the government has made clear, in public, that it does not intend to compromise on the big issues.
That’s why I believe we need to join our colleagues in the NUT and the ATL in taking strike action next Thursday.
Please support the strike on Thursday and let’s help make this a national day of action across education that no one can ignore.
Yours
Sally Hunt
UCU General Secretary
To read our latest leaflet, click here: http://www.ucu.org.uk/media/pdf/g/6/tps_30juneflier.pdf
To read more on the campaign to defend TPS, click here: http://www.ucu.org.uk/tps-underattack
Tuesday, 14 June 2011
EUROZONE IN CRISIS – SOLIDARITY WITH THE RESISTANCE
COR MEETING TOMORROW NIGHT : 6.30pm, Wednesday 15 June, University of London Union, Malet Street, London, WC1E (nearest station: Euston).
The EU, the IMF, and the European Central Bank have created a Europe of bailouts for the rich and cutbacks for the rest. But resistance is rising. Hundreds of thousands have joined demonstrations, strikes, and mass occupations of public squares.
Thousands have occupied Madrid’s Puerta del Sol in conscious imitation of the Arab Spring revolutions. The example has been followed by the Greek protestors who have copied them in occupying Athens’ Syntagma Square.
There is a pan-European movement of resistance forming. The Coalition of Resistance has called this meeting in solidarity with Spanish, Greek, and other European protestors.
In the second half of the meeting, CoR activists will discuss forthcoming campaigning and action in Britain, including supporting the pensions strike and building the national conference.
Romayne
The EU, the IMF, and the European Central Bank have created a Europe of bailouts for the rich and cutbacks for the rest. But resistance is rising. Hundreds of thousands have joined demonstrations, strikes, and mass occupations of public squares.
Thousands have occupied Madrid’s Puerta del Sol in conscious imitation of the Arab Spring revolutions. The example has been followed by the Greek protestors who have copied them in occupying Athens’ Syntagma Square.
There is a pan-European movement of resistance forming. The Coalition of Resistance has called this meeting in solidarity with Spanish, Greek, and other European protestors.
In the second half of the meeting, CoR activists will discuss forthcoming campaigning and action in Britain, including supporting the pensions strike and building the national conference.
Romayne
Monday, 13 June 2011
CRUNCH TIME NOW FOR THE NHS
To London supporters of Keep Our NHS Public - Please circulate to others
The government have speeded up the timetable for the Health & social care bill. The report from the so called "listening exercise" will now be today and the government will give their response tomorrow. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-13728438
The government was forced to retreat and postpone Lansley’s bill in the face of a huge groundswell of nationwide opposition. But now Cameron and Clegg have cobbled together a deal and hope they can limit the damage to the government by pushing through a revised Bill as soon as possible. It is likely that it will go back into parliament before the summer recess. London KONP has agreed to be ready to call a demonstration at parliament if that happens.
Our NHS is precious and these plans will destroy it
The previewed changes to the bill would alter the wording and the time table, but the plans for commissioning and foundation trusts would still open up the entire health service to the public sector. Health professionals including UNITE, UNISON, RCN and BMA have pointed out that dropping the bill is the only way to safeguard our health service, as have the Labour Party. How we can step up the pressure to demand the bill is dropped
PICKET ANDREW LANSLEY AT OLYMPIA
WEDNESDAY 15 JUNE 08.30amAt 9am Andrew Lansley will open the 'Commissioning 2011' with over 100 private sponsors. Leaflet here: http://www.keepournhspublic.com/meetings/20110615Olympia.pdf
KEEP UP THE LOBBYING
Can you phone your MP today? It's quick and easy. Find their name, number, and tips for what to say, here: http://www.38degrees.org.uk/phone-your-mp
30 JUNE PUBLIC SECTOR STRIKE DAY
Local groups and health workers are planning to highlight the attack on the NHS by joining picket lines and the demonstration 11:30 from Lincoln's Inn Fields
Unite the Resistance organising Rally
Wednesday 22 June 6.30pm
Friends House, Euston Rd, NW1
With Mark Serwotka PCS & Tony Benn
TUESDAY 05 JULY NHS ANNIVERSARY DAY OF ACTION
Backed by Unite, Unison and TUC
Turn this call into real national action calling for the Health Bill to be dropped
NEXT LONDON KEEP OUR NHS PUBLIC MEETINGTuesday 28 June 7pm
Camden Town Hall, Judd St, WC1
ORGANISING KEEP OUR NHS PUBLIC IN LONDON
The suggestion to formalise a London Keep Our NHS Public group was discussed at the meeting on 24 May. It was agreed to circulate a proposal to local KONP groups that a London group should help coordinate the campaign across London. In addition to open organising meetings, a committee of 2 people from each local group could make any important decisions between meetings. Please bring any comments or suggestions from your KONP group to the meeting on 28 June.
USEFUL MEETING DATES
Meeting 18 June 1.30-4pm
Islington Town Hall, Upper St, N1
With Ken Livingstone organised by Labour Party with GMB and Unison
To unsubscribe please email londonkeepournhspublic@gmail.com
Saturday, 11 June 2011
Jonathan Neale:
Jonathan Neale, novelist, playwright, historian and political activist, lead-author of the Million Climate Jobs report, introducing his book, Stop Global Warming – Change the World at Willesden Green Library on Monday June 6. Martin Francis has blogged about this event at http://wembleymatters.blogspot.com/
Introduction
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Introduction
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
Worthing Eco-Socialism meeting Tue 28th June
Dear all
We are planning a joint open meeting with Derek Wall from the Green Left on Eco-Socialism, the environment andf the fight against cuts. Given this is on the eve of the 30th day of action it provides an opportunity to discuss alternatives in a wider manner
i.e. Growth, austerity and the environment
Green jobs and socialist alternatives
International responses
leaflet to be out asap
Tue 28th June Friends Meeting House
Mill Lane
West Worthing
7.30-9.30
Please forward to others
regards
alf
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