Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

to say this to all the teachers who are striking next week

999 replies

Memoo · 24/11/2011 14:18

As a parent I am 100 % behind you.

I really appreciate that you put your life and soul into your job and im sorry more people don't get just how hard you work for the benefit of our children.

Don't let the bastards grind you down!

OP posts:
SlackSally · 25/11/2011 18:02

My understanding of the teachers' pensions increase is that it is 50% more than we are currently paying.

So, from 6.4% to 9.8%.

Now, admittedly, I'm not a maths teacher, but doesn't that mean that contributions will be (just over) 50% higher?

If so, it would cost me c. £75 a month extra.

Rivercat · 25/11/2011 18:05

You've almost got to admire the government for how effectively they have turned all public sector workers into parasites on society.

I will be striking, never have before and don't want to but it's not just about pensions (as an over 50 I may not be affected) We are losing 1/3 of our budget next year, how are we supposed to carry on providing services to people that need them?

Oh well, got the weekend off, then on Monday I'll get back to squandering some more taxpayers money on finding a way to help a 2 year old with cerebral palsy learn how to communicate with his Mum

pointydog · 25/11/2011 18:11

heffley, paying more into a pension is fine. We've done it (all of us) and we'd do it again. But to pay nearly £1000 more a year in order to get nearly £1000 less a year at the end of it? Have you done that willingly?

And we are all concerned about future debt and money worries for our children.

MigratingCoconuts · 25/11/2011 18:11

If that isn't selfish I don't know what is.

I must admit, I personally find the 'my pension is shite so I want yours to be too' a very selfish position to take.

I am more convinced by the arguments about our economy not affording the pensions...especially if the Government produced data to proove that.

MrsHeffley · 25/11/2011 18:15

Migrating that is not what anybody is saying instead I'd rather spend my money on my own pension rather than shell out more money to pay for yours(which is already better) which will need to happen given the fact there is not enough money.

Gemd81 · 25/11/2011 18:17

Would be amazed if the public sector workers got a job in the private sector and finally joined the real world and come out of their bubble where cuts on most companies happened yonks ago!
Public sector worker jobs are not more important - so wot a few pension cuts public sector pensions are over generous compared to private..........why are my taxes funding this?

wherearemysocka · 25/11/2011 18:17

I think if you take a look through this thread you'll find quite a few people who have been saying that. Migrating makes a good point about being more willing to believe the Government if they produced the relevant data.

pointydog · 25/11/2011 18:17

Not true, heffley. The govt wants to save money on pensions, not put more taxpayers' money towards them. There have been increases already to maintain and that's fine.

WetAugust · 25/11/2011 18:19

What a ridiculously selfish standpoint.

It's like saying I'd rather spend my NHS contributions on me and sod the rest of you if you cancer.

MigratingCoconuts · 25/11/2011 18:21

I'm quite happy for my taxes to pay for the pensions of others.

wherearemysocka · 25/11/2011 18:25

My taxes pay for all sorts of things I'm not bothered with myself - don't have kids, rarely take public transport, rarely ill, don't claim any benefits, don't have any great desire to invade or bomb other countries. Yet I have to pay for all these things anyway, because that's what you get when you live in a society. As several posters including me have said - show us the data, we'll pay for ourselves. Still waiting...

MigratingCoconuts · 25/11/2011 18:28

yes whereare, I see taxes as one of the least selfish aspects of our society. Those that can contributing to the common good even when it goes against individual gain.

pollycazalet · 25/11/2011 18:29

The National Audit Office refused to give a view on whether public sector pensions are unaffordable. This is because it's a POLITICAL decision. Ie how the government chooses to spend it's money.

The NAO did find that the cost of pensions is declining and will be 1% of GDP in 50 yrs time. So hardly pension costs spiralling out of control.

As I said before, we should be defending those decent pensions which are left. The alternative is more elderly people on welfare and in poverty.

JuliaScurr · 25/11/2011 18:32

It's odd that the CEO's of various companies (fuel, transport,banks) all seem to get comfortable retirement deals but their employees are constantly told that no pension for any ordinary person, public or private sector, is sustainable

VivaLeBeaver · 25/11/2011 18:34

So a private sector worker pays into their pension and their employer also contributes and that's fine.

A puled sector worker pays into their pension and their employer also contributes and that's not fine as suddenly everyone is bleating that their taxes are paying for it. Well I'm sorry but I fail to see the difference inbetween one employer and another. That's what you pay taxes for, to pay the salaries and renumeration packages of people like teachers and nurses.

tuffie · 25/11/2011 18:39

I used to work in the private sector. I now work in the public sector. And I definitely will NOT be striking.
Public sector workers should accept that we now live in a totally different economic climate and they should adapt to it just as private sector workers are having to do. As many have said before, I think we are lucky to have jobs, and sacrifices have to be made until we are out of the recession.

iggly2 · 25/11/2011 18:40

VivaLabever teachers 6.4% (currently) contribution vs employer (State) 14%. If you read the report basically the pension entitlement could be worth upto 40% of the annual wage.

iggly2 · 25/11/2011 18:41

All young leave this country go somewhere they think longterm.

Feenie · 25/11/2011 18:44

The agreement made in 2007 stated that contributions could rise if an actuarial valuation, due in 2010, deemed it necessary.

The government refuse to perform such a valuation.

Even though there is an agreement in place already to up contributions if needed.

So why the refusal, do you think?

Hmmmm?

Feenie · 25/11/2011 18:51

That's not an answer to the question I asked, iggly2.

Feenie · 25/11/2011 18:55

Anyone?

iggly2 · 25/11/2011 19:14

The report dated 2010. on page 8 states unfunded public pension liabilites to be between £770 billion and £1,176 billion. There are lots of ways they advise payments need to change and this still allows for a very generous 20% combined employee employer contribution. The bank bailout is small fry in comparison (esp now).

iggly2 · 25/11/2011 19:16

They favour the top end of that valuation