to think that yesterday's strikes were a bit of a non-event?

[grovel]

Whether you supported them or not?

So... let me get this straight... private sector workers' wages are earned, public sector workers' wages are given?

Have I got that right?

Yes.

I'm trying to give an answer to the question about why the teachers are being focused on BornToBeRiled. And for me thats, my honest answer - I don't know why, but they have peed me off more than the other groups in this. Should I lie? Perhaps its because they are more defensive and feel the need to vocalise their argument more? Unfortunately its only been teachers who have managed to get me to they stage of wanting to punch people.

There must be an answer and an explanation somewhere in all this.

Yes, it's being constantly told how easy our jobs are and how bad we are at them, causing the downfall of society, that makes us defensive and vocal.

This is a site for parents- the teachers striking has, on the whole, made more of an impact on the lives of parents than any other striking workers have.

I spotted that nice touch too, tethers.

The thing that really bothers me about pensions is that so many people have lost a defined benefits scheme, so that the risk is born by the individual who is least able to manage it, rather than an organisation who is better able to manage it.

I can see why companies don't want to have that liability, but I can't see why it's fairer for them to dump it on individuals instead. Something's gone very wrong imo.

I didn't realise that the public had a right to expect a particular sort of strike behaviour when I was not being paid . I went out for lunch and had a nice day getting Christmas decorations out with my family .

Clearly, it has also impacted on my grammar.

Sec many companies are making massive profits, you talk as if pension schemes would make them all bankrupt.

Swc not sec. Spellchecker.

I do understand why you would say that nicey. However I am ashamed to admit that I have been genuinely fed up and upset recently with the constant sniping. Just because I do a useful job, everyday, am good at it, and enjoy it. I just feel there are better people to attack. If people are constantly prodded, eventually they bite back. Then they are "irritating".

The pension schemes could well make a company bankrupt. And which companies are making massive profits, because as far as I can see we are in the midst of a recession and retailers are slashing prices right, left and centre in desperation, there have been loads of redundancies ( including me, and I'm at risk again) and low or no pay rises or bonuses for all in the private sector?

smallwhitecat - but many companies managed to have defined benefits schemes for decades, so what changed?

If a company has a tough few years, then maybe they would need to reduce the defined benefit that could be built up over those years, and then increase it again in the better years.

But to say that it could never be feasible just doesn't make sense to me.

And aren't the vast majority with little or no pension provision also going to be relying on the public purse write a blank cheque for their pensions?

I don't think there's an easy answer. And I can't see how the best answer is rubbish pensions for all.

to you all

Sorry, insolvent, not bankrupt SWC!!

What happened was that they got the mortality projections wrong and didn't for see how much life expectancy would increase by. Also stock market returns have been much poorer than expected and interest rates much lower meaning poor fund growth and expensive annuities.The pensions schemes were seen to be in surplus and tax rules meant that companies had to take payment breaks meaning when they finally realised that all was not right, the pension schemes were in deficit and a massive liability on a companies balance sheet.

Low bonuses for all in the private sector? . I'm clearly reading the wrong papers.

And I can't see how the best answer is rubbish pensions for all.
Any pension would be nice - by that I mean one thats not going to cost more than I put in it. Atm, I would be better to put the money under the bed than in a fund due to charges. No employer contributions here.

iggi999. Bonus??? Definitely reading the wrong paper.... whats one of them... ?

There's more to the private sector than bankers, although public sector workers assume we are all fat cats, while accusing private sector workers of making assumptions about public sector workers.

OFGS I really need to stop reading these threads becasue they feck me off.

Not all of the money in the Public sector comes from govt - some of it comes from services provided to the private sector and individuals, etc.

And as those of us in the public sector keep saying the extra money they want us to pay is going to the treasury not pensions they're just getting the public to focus on pensions as they know its so controversial. They might as well just be honest and say they're going to charge public sector workers extra tax to make up for the defecit.

And for those slagging off the public sector - feck off somewhere else when you need help then!

Nobody wants poor pensions for all, but there will be massive inequalities between pensioners when we come to retire, with a lot of private sector workers living in poverty off the basic state pension, while public sector workers on final salary or career average pensions plus the basic state pension will seem very wealthy in comparison, that doesn't seem fair.