Question Anyone else on strike next Thursday in Southend?

[pickledseal]

As a matter of interest how many days will you strike for if you are losing £70 per day?

There is talk of another round in October.

Bearing in mind, if the government do change things by early July, I'll be paying about £100 more a month into my pension anyway. That is a substantial part of my take home pay. It will start becoming a financial consideration, but equally due to my new job my salary will increase (but not without lots more work and responsibility I hasten to add!).

I think the J30 group may be looking to a political agenda.... its just a hunch given this logo is one of their resources:

Maybe I am naive about this but is a teacher's average salary pension of £10k pa lucrative?

Also I wonder if you have kids? Ask them what it would be like to be taught by their grandparents... I just can't see how a 68 year old could cope in a modern comprehensive secondary?! Oh yeah, Gove has a plan for them anyway and will just sack 'em. ;)

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

It is my experience, both as a former pupil and a parent, that most teachers are lucky to have a job at all. Their blend of sanctimony and unwarranted self-assurance would not get them through the tradesman's entrance in the private sector. Anyone failing to report to work without good reason should be sacked.

 

[canveyshrimper]

There is talk of another round in October.

Bearing in mind, if the government do change things by early July, I'll be paying about £100 more a month into my pension anyway. That is a substantial part of my take home pay. It will start becoming a financial consideration, but equally due to my new job my salary will increase (but not without lots more work and responsibility I hasten to add!).

I think the J30 group may be looking to a political agenda.... its just a hunch given this logo is one of their resources:

Maybe I am naive about this but is a teacher's average salary pension of £10k pa lucrative?

Also I wonder if you have kids? Ask them what it would be like to be taught by their grandparents... I just can't see how a 68 year old could cope in a modern comprehensive secondary?! Oh yeah, Gove has a plan for them anyway and will just sack 'em. ;)

Judging by that logo it isn't about the workers it's about politics and bringing down the elected government. If they succeed in forcing a general election they may not get the result, as the Tories may emerge with an overall majority. I'd say Miliband's failure so far to condemn the strikes could blow up in his face.

As I've said I've every sympathy for anyone having to pay more and work longer, but something has to give. I admit I don't know the figures or ins and outs of whatever the final salary scheme for teachers may be, but I am sure it's based on average earnings throughout your career. Therefore I'd suggest it would be a lot more than the 10k per annum that you mention. While I'm from a different generation the recollection of many of my teachers was that they were in their 50's & 60's, with a fair smattering of those in their 20's & 30's.

As I've stated before the public sector have been protected until now, and you are waking up to the reality that has been going on in the private sector for many years in connection with pensions. Make no mistake if we had a Labour Government they would have to deal with this something for Labour MP Lord Hutton & the likes of Frank Field, the well respected MP have been saying for many years.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

As I've stated before the public sector have been protected until now, and you are waking up to the reality that has been going on in the private sector for many years in connection with pensions. Make no mistake if we had a Labour Government they would have to deal with this something for Labour MP Lord Hutton & the likes of Frank Field, the well respected MP have been saying for many years.

I wouldn't be so sure about that: they managed to run away from it for the previous 13 years, despite the likes of Hutton and Field speaking up about it. That's why Hutton and Field are respected and the cowards who avoided taking unpopular but necessary decisions aren't.

 

[Eastblack]

Surely, each of us should be concerned about our pension provision, irrespecive of our employment situation (public / private / none). Likewise, each of us should be making (or trying to within our means) sufficient contributions to make sure we're covered.

I opted out of SERPS, have got previous work related schemes as well as existing schemes and the performance of my 'pension pot' is suffering like many others. So, what am I doing about it? I'm making sure that I maximise what limited resources I have, and increase my contributions when and where I can. That means, I'm trying to pay more in to cover and increase my 'pension pot'

I am no expert, in fact this whole subject bores me rigid, but I read recently that in order for a former teacher to achieve a pension of £10k pa, their 'pension pot' needs to be in the region of £300k.

Tell me, how many people these days have a pension pot that scheduled to be that size?
Where is this magic £300k going to come from?
Isn't it right that Teachers and other public sector workers should be made to contribute?
Isn't it right that those contributions should increase (as they have to for all of us) when required? Or are they immune?

 

[ldnfatso]

I have no sympathy for Strikers at all. They cause havoc and inconvenience to the country and innocent people who are expected to put up with it! All workers beit public or private sector are lucky to have jobs these days and more than generous pensions/benefits. In my opinion public sector workers should not be able to hold the country to ransom like this. Police are not allowed to strike as they are an essential service. In my opinion, no tax payer funded service beit the Fire Service, Health Service, Education Sector, Transport Sector and all other Local/Central Government Civil Servants should be allowed to strike. Banning unions or limiting their powers like Maggie tried to do is the route to go. The Militant Union leaders seem to say they are behind their members but are quite happy with their fat cat £100k a year salary. One in particular was seen in the papers supping expensive champagne during a £650 3 1/2 lunch. Call that representing the people? I call it rubbing their faces in it at their expense! He has also lived in a housing association property meant for low income families for 10 years paying 50% rent of what he would pay in the private sector and saved himself over £75k in the process. Its time all this stopped!

 

[pickledseal]

Just recorded an interview on BBC Essex radio on the Christian views of striking. Should be on Sunday at about 6.20am and 8.50am...

 

[osymandus]

As a matter of interest how many days will you strike for if you are losing £70 per day?

BTW should point out that this is the first time they have stricked in 125 years so they don;t take it lightly ;).

Re your point on the private sector as well I don't see how trying to justify the **** up , screwing over of people in the private sector is justification for public sector workers protecting their rights . The private sector stole the money , the private sector broke the rules and screwed over many public sector investments . There is neither moral nor intellectual grounds for saying they are a better example ?

 

[osymandus]

Surely, each of us should be concerned about our pension provision, irrespecive of our employment situation (public / private / none). Likewise, each of us should be making (or trying to within our means) sufficient contributions to make sure we're covered.

I opted out of SERPS, have got previous work related schemes as well as existing schemes and the performance of my 'pension pot' is suffering like many others. So, what am I doing about it? I'm making sure that I maximise what limited resources I have, and increase my contributions when and where I can. That means, I'm trying to pay more in to cover and increase my 'pension pot'

I am no expert, in fact this whole subject bores me rigid, but I read recently that in order for a former teacher to achieve a pension of £10k pa, their 'pension pot' needs to be in the region of £300k.

Tell me, how many people these days have a pension pot that scheduled to be that size?
Where is this magic £300k going to come from?
Isn't it right that Teachers and other public sector workers should be made to contribute?
Isn't it right that those contributions should increase (as they have to for all of us) when required? Or are they immune?

Unison have said on multipule media outlets all teachers do contribute to their pensions , one of the main issue is the increase of their wages going in and teh loss of value of what they have already paid in. Much like a private pension that gets embezzled by its investors or simply mismanaged.

 

[canveyshrimper]

BTW should point out that this is the first time they have stricked in 125 years so they don;t take it lightly ;).

Re your point on the private sector as well I don't see how trying to justify the **** up , screwing over of people in the private sector is justification for public sector workers protecting their rights . The private sector stole the money , the private sector broke the rules and screwed over many public sector investments . There is neither moral nor intellectual grounds for saying they are a better example ?

osy I love you like a brother but that is complete and utter bollecks. Where do you get the idea that teachers haven't been on strike in 125 years. I can recall strike action being taken over 40 years ago, and also on a quite a few times subsequently. You maybe getting confused with how many teachers unions there are, and there seems to be shed loads.

The private sector stole the money, WTF? I am talking about pensions both within the private & public sector, but primarily in the private sector. It's been well documented by experts that Brown's continual raids on pension funds has caused the destruction our pension industry. The loss of innocent peoples contributions and the closing of numerous schemes that millions were expecting to keep them in some sort of financial security in their old age. Money that most have contributed out of ther salary after tax not ****ing stolen.

 

[osymandus]

osy I love you like a brother but that is complete and utter bollecks. Where do you get the idea that teachers haven't been on strike in 125 years. I can recall strike action being taken over 40 years ago, and also on a quite a few times subsequently. You maybe getting confused with how many teachers unions there are, and there seems to be shed loads.

The private sector stole the money, WTF? I am talking about pensions both within the private & public sector, but primarily in the private sector. It's been well documented by experts that Brown's continual raids on pension funds has caused the destruction our pension industry. The loss of innocent peoples contributions and the closing of numerous schemes that millions were expecting to keep them in some sort of financial security in their old age. Money that most have contributed out of ther salary after tax not ****ing stolen.

Aside from the councils investing an Icelandic bank you mean which helped fund public coffers ;)
Hmm im sure it was a Unison guy said it was teachers (i maybe confused it it was another public sector representative if you say a teachers strike occurred (unless they just meant unison members ;)).

Hate to say it but yes areas of the private sector have taken a good deal of the government and public money . BAA anyone ? Banks being propped up to prevent the collapse of the entire finical system ? By mismanagement and short term greed in many respects . I agree that both have screwed people.

lol oops 30 years is closer and its The Association of Teachers and Lecturers.

 

[pickledseal]

ATL are a non striking union and it has been in existence, 2nd biggest union, for 120odd years and never gone on strike before.

 

[Eastblack]

Unison have said on multipule media outlets all teachers do contribute to their pensions , one of the main issue is the increase of their wages going in and teh loss of value of what they have already paid in. Much like a private pension that gets embezzled by its investors or simply mismanaged.

I'm not suggesting they don't contribute, I am suggesting that, as you say, the values of the existing schemes have fallen, and that they need to do what everyone else has to do, and contribute more to make up for the shortfall, which incidentally is not just their shortfall, but that for their industry or many others in the public sector.

 

[osymandus]

ATL are a non striking union and it has been in existence, 2nd biggest union, for 120odd years and never gone on strike before.

phew not going mad mind you it appears they took some action in 1979 ;)

 

[canveyshrimper]

Aside from the councils investing an Icelandic bank you mean which helped fund public coffers ;)
Hmm im sure it was a Unison guy said it was teachers (i maybe confused it it was another public sector representative if you say a teachers strike occurred (unless they just meant unison members ;)).

Hate to say it but yes areas of the private sector have taken a good deal of the government and public money . BAA anyone ? Banks being propped up to prevent the collapse of the entire finical system ? By mismanagement and short term greed in many respects . I agree that both have screwed people.

lol oops 30 years is closer and its The Association of Teachers and Lecturers.

The ATL either have or haven't been on strike in over 120 years, I'm quite happy to accept that, but you stated that teachers have never been on strike, that leaves a few such as the NASWT & NUT who definitely have.

If councils have invested in Icelandic Banks and lost their money they are dealing with public money and as a consequence gambling with moneys that could and would be used in the public sector,bugger all to do with the private sector. You are at cross purposes over public money going to the private sector which has IMO not a lot to do with the destruction of the private sector pension industry.

 

[osymandus]

The ATL either have or haven't been on strike in over 120 years, I'm quite happy to accept that, but you stated that teachers have never been on strike, that leaves a few such as the NASWT & NUT who definitely have.

If councils have invested in Icelandic Banks and lost their money they are dealing with public money and as a consequence gambling with moneys that could and would be used in the public sector,bugger all to do with the private sector. You are at cross purposes over public money going to the private sector which has IMO not a lot to do with the destruction of the private sector pension industry.

Yes i realised that now oops . However it goes back to a prior point that the media are lumping everyone under the same banner (i.e the NHS pension is the same as the teachers , of which union which schools etc ) . Now im sure of this that Unison was mentioning that one teachers pension was about £2 Billion in profit last year so the contributions of some are not in deficit where some are . The issue is everything is being lumped into one.

Not really. All the investments were wiped out by the banking crisis caused by what is termed as the private sector . Yes they were de-regulated in many countries , however it didn't give the many companies involved the right to screw up in they way they did . I don;t actually believe there is public or private money myself , its all from the mint of what ever country produced it . How its used is the issue. In the case of the Icelandic bank , they were a private firm not a government backed one so it was entirely private sector based http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaupthing_Bank

 

[Clinton Baptiste]

A withdrawal of labour, at a personal cost (I will, quite rightly, be deducted a days pay ~£70), is far more powerful. Teachers DO NOT strike lightly.

No but they work lightly on the basis of how much time you spend posting on here :winking:

 

[pickledseal]

No but they work lightly on the basis of how much time you spend posting on here :winking:

Today was kind to me, I'll be honest. Don't expect much from me tomorrow... :winking:

 

[Dick Bate's Protege]

I'm finding this strike a little hard to take. Last year when we had the severe weather including about a foot of snow, my sons school was kept open a couple of days longer than was safe; the view being that a child simply cannot waste a days education. My wife and other parents were forced to struggle in, many bearing pre-school children, otherwise their child's attendance records would be affected. One particular child, aged 2, fell over on the ice outside the school and required an emergency skin graft.

I found this unnecessary, but in some ways I also admired the spirit of the teachers wanting to do their job at all costs. It seems that a days education is only vital when on the terms of teachers; I consider my son to have been unfairly let down by the teaching profession by this strike.

For those teachers on here I'm not trying to pick a fight about the rights and wrongs of your cause, I just can't tolerate such blatant hypocrisy when precedents have been so harshly set without due care for the safety of others.

 

[OldBlueLady]

I have no sympathy for Strikers at all. They cause havoc and inconvenience to the country and innocent people who are expected to put up with it! All workers beit public or private sector are lucky to have jobs these days and more than generous pensions/benefits. In my opinion public sector workers should not be able to hold the country to ransom like this. Police are not allowed to strike as they are an essential service. In my opinion, no tax payer funded service beit the Fire Service, Health Service, Education Sector, Transport Sector and all other Local/Central Government Civil Servants should be allowed to strike. Banning unions or limiting their powers like Maggie tried to do is the route to go. The Militant Union leaders seem to say they are behind their members but are quite happy with their fat cat £100k a year salary. One in particular was seen in the papers supping expensive champagne during a £650 3 1/2 lunch. Call that representing the people? I call it rubbing their faces in it at their expense! He has also lived in a housing association property meant for low income families for 10 years paying 50% rent of what he would pay in the private sector and saved himself over £75k in the process. Its time all this stopped!

You're wrong on this Steve, the police (and prison officers) signed a no strike agreement with the Government agreeing to abide by the pay review bodies concerned, which they've failed to do for the last 4 years despite holding on to the no strike deal agreement. So, as they have agreed not to strike, they will instead be working to rule on 30th June.....no overtime, which will ensure chaos ensues. as both services rely on overtime. They uphold their part of the deal out of conscience, the Labour Government consistently showed they had no conscience.