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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that nurses who choose to strike over pensions will not get any sympathy from the general public??

305 replies

McQueasy · 05/11/2011 09:52

Unison have voted to strike on the 30th, this means that nurses within that union have the choice to participate. As a result of this the NHS may have to operate as an 'emergency only' service for the day. Cancelling routine work, clinics, operations etc.

The governments pension proposals are ridiculous, in essence the average worker will pay between £50-£200 a month more towards their pension in what is realistically a levy. They will not see a penny of that when they retire (if they ever are allowed to retire as the age or retirement gets pushed back and back)

However, as operations, clinics and routine work is cancelled in an already stretched system, I cant help but think that public sympathy for this strike will be minimal.

OP posts:
gordyslovesheep · 05/11/2011 17:57

I do wonder why all the people horrofied by 'selfish' nurses are actively campaigning against Tory cuts and changes to NHS Funding?

If you think nurses striking for one day is going to damage your families health then you should be outraged !

Sidge · 05/11/2011 18:15

I'm in the RCN (reluctantly as I think they're neither use nor ornament) and am currently in negotaiations with them as they are ceasing to provide indemnity cover for primary care nurses.

So we aim to switch over to Unison but not in time to strike.

I'm not sure I would strike anyway but would support those that choose to do so.

RainboweBrite · 05/11/2011 18:17

They will have my backing. I really can't understand the reluctance of so many English people to support strike action.

cardibach · 05/11/2011 18:24

It's not nonsense, SauvignonBlanche. It's how Unions (should) work. I'm not suggesting PurpleCrazyHorseabdicates peersonal responsibility or conscience at all. If she disagrees with the strike of course she shouldn't strike - but she shouldn't be part of a Union which is striking either. THe point of a Union is to stand together, the vote is to determine the opinion of the Union. At that point, members should support or get out.

MrsWifty · 05/11/2011 18:31

Yabu - full support for all public sector pension strikers here too. The argument that some private sector workers have been shafted therefore so should everyone infuriates and saddens me - the more people stand up to this, the less likely it is to happen to everyone.

tethersend · 05/11/2011 18:35

The point of a strike is surely to cause disruption and inconvenience and stimulate exactly this kind of discussion, not to gain 'public sympathy'?

It's a sorry picture of worker's rights in this country that 'public sympathy' is thought of as the most effective way of changing conditions and/or protecting rights. This is not a charity appeal.

Most people only notice a service when it is withdrawn; this makes strike action a highly effective means of highlighting issues. And it is action that is not taken lightly. Hardly any public service worker can afford to lose pay for striking, yet the majority of union members voted for action- this should give you an idea of how bad things are.

They are not going on holiday.

Towndon · 05/11/2011 18:42

Not supporting this particular strike doesn't mean not supporting other strikes though Rainbow.

ShellyBoobs · 05/11/2011 18:52

We're a rich country. We can afford to support our population, pensioners included. I do not buy into the doom-laden predictions that it's all going to fall apart and we have to start selling off the family silver.

We're only rich in the same way that someone who takes out a huge bank loan is rich.

In cash generation terms, Italy's economy is pretty much on a par with ours so Italy is an equally 'rich' country. They're teetering on the brink of default. If that happens and they're refused further funding, they'll be unable to pay public sector salaries, let alone pension contributions.

Saying 'we can afford to suppport our population' is just blind optimism.

PessimisticMissPiggy · 05/11/2011 19:03

The increased contributions are a PAY CUT. Pensions are part of the overall remuneration package. Yes, it's crap that SOME private sector pension schemes are not worth what they were, but that does not mean that public sector employees (who have already had pay suppression since godknowswhen due to their pensions provisions being top class) should be subject to the same so that 'we're all in it together'.

I'm damn proud to work for the civil service but I joined on the understanding that my pay was not comparable to those in my profession in the private sector because I had a good pension. Now, with pay progression obliterated and no chance of a promotion because of the downgrading of work to be done at the cheapest, but not the most appropriate level, together with the fact that me and my colleagues are at breaking point because of job cuts I'm seriously considering jumping ship and getting a bigger salary and probably a less overwhelming workload and regular hour and heading to the private sector where in an equivalent role I would earn >25k+ more.

All public sector workers deserve to be treated with respect regardless of if they are frontline workers or back room staff. This country relies on the public sector to keep working. Tories are shafting us all, not the unions. Support N30, All Out.

RainboweBrite · 05/11/2011 19:19

Not quite sure what you mean Towndon. Care to elaborate?

Towndon · 05/11/2011 20:16

Rainbow you said "I really can't understand the reluctance of so many English people to support strike action". I don't think that's the case - many of us will have supported strikes in the past, but just not this one.

Dilligaf81 · 05/11/2011 20:25

All public workers have my full support.
The pension pot is only empty after years of succesive governments raiding them and showing it off as our countrys wealth.

I really would like to know where they get their figures when they say it's ok to change pension plans as when they were drawn up the public sectore earnt less but now they earn more. Where ?? I know teachers who work in the private sector and they earn more than public sector teachers as do nurses and private sector Firefighters.

My DH's a firefighter and people seriously think they just drink tea all day, get paid loads and can have 2nd jobs. He could have a 2nd job but he does work a 48 hour week so if he chooses to do that in his spare time (he doesnt he looks after the DC'S) then fine.

Whoever said service isnt appreciated until it's withdrawn has it 100% correct.

Sorry rant over

tiredemma · 05/11/2011 20:34

Towndon- can I ask a question (not getting shirty- just genuinely interested)- Why would you not find yourself able to support us on this strike?

thenightsky · 05/11/2011 20:34

PessimisticMissPiggy Excellent post.

PessimisticMissPiggy · 05/11/2011 20:44

thenightsky thanks Blush rather passionate about this when I'm estimated to lose £120k in pay over the remainder of my career in additional contributions and have £8k less pension per annum in my retirement.

gotolder · 05/11/2011 21:25

They will have my absolute support; I'm fed up to my back teeth with those who have sufficient or more than sufficient telling those who work hard every day in ESSENTIAL jobs that they do not deserve what they get, or would get as pensions in the future. I have no axe to grind here as I am retired from the private sector with a tiny but welcome private pension.

FontSnob · 05/11/2011 22:21

This has probably been said already but do people not realise that we are NOT taking money from anyone through our pensions. Our pensions are self sustaining, the extra they are going to take is to go into the general pot. This is effectively an extra tax on teachers, nurses etc. Why does any

FontSnob · 05/11/2011 22:22

Sorry... Why does anyone think that's okay?

(pressed send to soon!)

TeWihara · 05/11/2011 22:29

I'm not a public sector worker either, but I support them too.

The extra money out from pay packets is proportionally huge... forget about long term, when so many people are struggling on average salaries I don't know why the hell it's seen as okay to suddenly start lopping extra bits out just because they happen to work in the public sector.

Have every sympathy with the striker's and wish them good luck.

caramelwaffle · 05/11/2011 22:30

Yabu

gaelicsheep · 05/11/2011 22:41

"My DH's a firefighter and people seriously think they just drink tea all day, get paid loads and can have 2nd jobs."

Do people really think that? Probably. The public is stupid enough. Sad

PessimisticMissPiggy · 05/11/2011 22:47

I wish I understood why the media continue to perpetuate the myths that conservative party turn out out public sector pensions.

Towndon · 05/11/2011 23:03

Why do people assume it's those wealthier than nurses who object? Some of us have lower-than-average salaries, not in the public sector.

"when so many people are struggling on average salaries I don't know why the hell it's seen as okay to suddenly start lopping extra bits out just because they happen to work in the public sector."

"I'm fed up to my back teeth with those who have sufficient or more than sufficient"

PurpleCrazyHorse · 05/11/2011 23:07

At the moment, I wait to see what happens and the outcome. I voted 'no' for a number of reasons. I'm not against striking and I fully support the work my union is doing regarding NHS Pensions, but don't currently agree with striking on 30th Nov. This is the first time I've been called on to strike so is therefore the first time I've had to really test my views vs. those of my union.

Shakey1500 · 05/11/2011 23:10

They'll have my full support also.