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Public-sector strike: does it get your support? Please vote in our Facebook poll

572 replies

HelenMumsnet · 28/11/2011 10:16

Morning.

We'd love to know how you feel about Wednesday's public-sector strike action. Does it get your support - or not?

We've put up a little poll on our Facebook page to help us find out. Please do click and vote.

Thanks v much, MNHQ

OP posts:
PanicMode · 28/11/2011 16:17

Short answer - I don't support the strikes, no.

Long explanation as to why!
In my previous existence, I worked in the private sector, and I lost my 'gold plated' final salary pension scheme after five years service because it was unaffordable; the benefits were amended to a defined benefits scheme after I had already signed up for my then industry standard final salary scheme. I don't have a union, and I couldn't strike - just try and work harder and for longer to make up the shortfall. (As I'm now a SAHM for the time being - the pay is atrocious and I don't suppose we're going to get a state pension....so I'm in serious trouble until I go back to work!).

There is a demographic timebomb - too few workers will be supporting the pensioners of tomorrow and people in whichever sector they work will have to face up to the reality that they will have to work longer, because we are all living longer. This isn't a new situation - we used to have an envied pension sector in this country, but Gordon Brown made changes which raided pension funds to raise taxes, and decimated the surpluses that many had built up. He created a completely bloated welfare state which has made working less attractive than being on benefits, so there are fewer economically active people supporting the pensioners of tomorrow who have never done a day's work in their lives.

Yes, the economic downturn hasn't helped, and the lack of jobs (for young people in particular) is terrible, but the previous government helped to create this mess by not making hard decisions earlier, and in any case, for political reasons, a Labour government couldn't be seen to be damaging the 'workers' I imagine.

Most public sector workers, (even the lower paid ones) will be better off than those of us in the private sector who are unable to put enough money into our pension schemes because we're now having to pay for our children's university education, to find money to help them get a roof over their heads (even just putting together a deposit to rent, let alone helping with a mortgage deposit!) and to pay for care for our parents, and ourselves in due course - along with having to pay to keep roofs over our own heads - which in the SE is a far higher burden than it should be, due to house prices having been held artificially high for so long.

I think that the strikers are irresponsible to strike. For a start, they barely have a mandate as the turnouts were so low - most strike ballots were with a turnout well below 50%, and talks are still ongoing - surely it would be better to wait until there is absolutely no further room for negotiation?

chocolatecheesecake · 28/11/2011 16:34

Support the strike and will be striking. There was major reform in 2007 which all parties e.g. National audit office, agree delivers sustainable affordable pensions. This is a cash raid to tackle the deficit pure and simple. Govt has a target of £2.8bn, more than will be raised from the bankers levy (£2.6bn). It is unfair to decimate the pensions of longserving staff (I will be paying £98k to get £5k a year less) and will exacerbate the existing funding crisis about elderly care, with more people unable to survive on pensions and savings.

RaisinBoys · 28/11/2011 16:40

Yes I support the strike. In short the Gov't is asking those workers to pay more and work longer for less. And this comes after a major reform of pensions less than 5 years ago, and a failure by Government now to publicise the figures they have on the pension schemes which show that they are and will continue to be affordable. Incidentally the average "gold plated" public sector pension is £5K per year (even when you include all the higher earners) and £4K per year for a woman. Not exactly coining it in are they?

Atomant · 28/11/2011 16:40

Not on FB but no absolutely do not support it.

ledkr · 28/11/2011 16:40

Why do people keep saying "They should be gratefull they have apension at all" Last time i checked i pay into mine and have done for years after making a choice to do so based on the facts and figures given to ME.
It also looks like ill be retiring when im nearly in my coffin too and pay more for the priveledge.
Notice we are not attempting to reduce the pensions or salaries of mps or bloody bankers tho.
Ps workers arent all rich some of us are small earners too.

ledkr · 28/11/2011 16:42

Oh and just because private sector are worse off then why is it ok foe public sector to be equally as badly treated,two wrongs do not make a right.

lobatteries · 28/11/2011 16:43

No FB and no don't support it given the present climate - their argument is the same one I have had in the past but what can you do given everyone is going through it either now or have done in the recent past.

clairemb12 · 28/11/2011 17:08

Don't support - so I was very pleased indeed to receive a note from the school to say it's open and business as usual

toutlemonde · 28/11/2011 17:19

Completely in support. Its great to see people standing up for themselves.

toutlemonde · 28/11/2011 17:21

We have also had a note saying ds's class is open, but no way is it business as usual for us. Ds won't be going in.

said · 28/11/2011 17:24

I never link mn to FB/RL but absolutely Yes to supporting strike. And my child's school is open so that's a bonus Smile

imogengladheart · 28/11/2011 17:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OddEyes · 28/11/2011 18:28

Most def I support the strike.
I want my children to have well trained teachers who have degrees and pgces who get paid well and who recieve pensions that they are expecting. London is struggling as it is to retain good teachers.
Support, support, support!!!!!!

HedleyLamarr · 28/11/2011 18:32

I am not, nor have ever been a public sector worker but I fully support strike action. The extra 3% to be paid in won't even be added to the pot, rather it is to be used to pay back some of the deficit caused by the banks. So once again the poor have to bail out the rich. Those at the top end of the wage scale are able to employ clever accountants to find them loopholes which allow them to avoid paying their share of tax. Why should the poor have to fill the gap left by their greed?

I haven't voted on the Facebook page yet, my innnernetz is playing up somewhat and won't load the page.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 28/11/2011 18:35

Am not on Facebook but totally support the strike.

midnightexpress · 28/11/2011 18:47

100% support it. For all the reasons already outlined upthread.

hocuspontas · 28/11/2011 19:03

100% support and voted.

dd2's HT wrote ...'I sincerely apologise for any inconvenience...' to parents. Hmm That's the point tosser, and thanks for showing your staff whose side you're on.

TheMonster · 28/11/2011 19:04

knitknack, I am a teacher who is most certainly in the red.

neepsntatties · 28/11/2011 19:14

I support it and I wish people would stick together.

woollyideas · 28/11/2011 19:16

Complete, one hundred percent support from me. And I'm rather fed up with the 'unions have no mandate' argument, too. All union members had a chance to vote and it was up to them whether they exercised it or not. Has this government got a 'mandate'? Most of the populace DIDN'T vote for them, but we're living with the outcome of voter apathy every day.

imogengladheart · 28/11/2011 19:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Dru77 · 28/11/2011 19:29

I work in the NHS. I spent 10 years in the civil service paying 1.5% into my pension then had to face a massive increase to 6.5% on joining the NHS (equating to about £200 extra a month). I don't have a problem with the govt reforming the pension scheme but I do have a problem with the way they plan to do it.

If it goes ahead my contributions will rise a further 2% overnight and my husband's (civil servant) will rise about 5% - this means approx £300 less in take home pay between us from one month to the next. £300 a month is a huge drop to adjust to so I personally think it would have been kinder to phase it in.

I also have an issue with the fact that the NHS had pension reforms in 2008 (hence me paying 6.5% already) but after this new round of reforms the NHS will still be paying in way more than civil servants - how can that be fair?

FYI I am not striking. I'm not in a union but wouldn't strike even if I was in one.

HalleysWaitress · 28/11/2011 19:37

Support the strike. Not striking as didn't get back in to a union in time.

Catspersonalbanker · 28/11/2011 19:57

There was a reform several years ago where the Unions and Govt stated that if there was a short fall in the future (and in many Public Pension pots there aren't) that the cost would be shared equally.

This govt wants to up my contributons from 6.5%, which I have paid for the last 11 years AND NOT ADD IT TO THE POT. There is no deficit in my specific pot. I will be asked to pay more for those public servants who have paid less over their years of service, and hence their specific pots are in deficit.The Govt should have done their sums. I have no issue with those who have been misled by asking for lower contributons in the past.

I am sick of the terms and conditions changing all the time, when I have had a three year pay freeze so effectively a 10% pay cut and little chance of career progression to make up the deficit (my organisation claims to be equal opps and family friendly but you'd swear I was asking to be paid for the time I want off and I obviously don't have a brain now I've had a child- separate rant though).

If I worked for the private sector I'd be on at least a third more pay ( I'm a scientist with a MSc ) and, yes, granted a poorer pension but I choose to do my job in the public sector as I want to make a difference and use my skills for the benefit of my community. For that I am willing to pay less, just not do my job on the cheap.

HalleysWaitress you can join a union on the day at a picket line or you can strike as a non union member though you're likely to be in breach of your terms and conditons for that though.

HoneyandHaycorns · 28/11/2011 20:05

I support the strike but am not on facebook.