Pensions Justice campaign - building for 30th November

The TUC has launched a new website: http://pensionsjustice.org.uk/
(which is still being constructed) to provide a central point for useful links, myth busting information and campaign resources. There are a series of branding logos available for download - these can be used to advertise the campaign and are obtainable here:
http://pensionsjustice.org.uk/for-reps-activists/

Time to rebuild economy and put pensions and savings at heart of it

Letter to Birmingham Post - October 6th

Dear Editor

I read with alarm the article attacking public service pensions – a piece based on myth, a lack of understanding and more than a little prejudice (‘unions please think again before striking’, September 29).

The author, Russell Luckock, says that unions ‘would not accept any change in their pensions’, yet only a few years ago unions negotiated substantial reform of public sector schemes with the then government. As a result, new cost-sharing arrangements were put in place so that if life expectancy rose faster than anticipated, the resulting cost would fall mainly on scheme members rather than on the taxpayer. Lord Hutton said in his report earlier this year that these changes alone reduced the value of the schemes to current members by 10 per cent, rising to 25 per cent once the impact of the change in indexation from RPI to CPI is factored in.
However, none of the changes this government has announced – a further increase in contributions, a rise in pension age and a change in indexation from RPI to CPI – were done so with any consultation. More importantly the proposed increases in staff contributions have nothing to do with the long-term affordability of the schemes, but are pure and simply about taxing low-paid public sector workers in an attempt to pay down the deficit.

The changes risk making public sector pensions more unaffordable and could see thousands of low-paid workers leaving the schemes. Without pensions provision in their old age the state would be faced with picking up a very expensive benefits bill as millions of pensioners are forced into pensioner poverty. This is the reality of the government’s race to the bottom.

The unions want to see ‘pensions justice,’, not just for public sector workers, but for all workers in the UK. Rather than undermining the basic rights of public service workers, ministers should be legislating to improve pension provision in the private sector. The UK needs a private sector where businesses adopt and support good quality pensions for their entire workforce and not just for their top executives. We need to rebuild our economy and put pensions and savings at the heart of the UK economy.

Finally, Russell Luckock makes reference to the ‘real world’ and the difficulties that retailers and manufacturers are facing. Tough times are here for everyone, with the possible exception of the city where it is pretty much back to business as usual.

That’s why the TUC has been leading the call for an economic alternative to the government’s austerity. Deep and rapid spending cuts have sucked demand out of the economy, choked off growth and undermined UK Plc. We need action from the government to stimulate growth and to tackle unemployment. Stigmatising public service workers is not the answer to the economic perils that we face. We need to get Britain working and spending again, otherwise businesses and communities ‘in the real world’ will continue to suffer.

Despite union plans to ballot their members this autumn, we still hope that a settlement can be reached through negotiation. However, unless there is a significant shift in the government’s position, it is likely there will be co-ordinated action across the public sector at the end of November. So, rather than asking unions to think again, Russell Luckock should be asking the government to take a long hard look in the mirror, to think again and to avoid causing yet more misery to millions of families.

Rob Johnston

Regional Secretary, Midlands TUC

Testing

Trying to keep up with the times by posting from my mobile.
- Sent from my HTC -

Hardest Hit - Nottingham rally

Nottingham
Saturday 22nd October
Rally 12.30 – 13.30
Old Market Square

Disabled people in the East Midlands, along with their families and friends, are taking to the streets in Nottingham to protest against Government cuts to disability benefits and services. Join us and help to make sure all our voices are heard.

The rally is taking place in Old Market Square, just outside Nottingham Council House, from 12.30 – 13.30. There will be music and poetry from inspirational local group Moveable Feast and speakers who will join us to share their views on the proposed changes. We will also be joined by a number of local people who can speak from their own experiences about what the proposed cuts to benefits and services will mean to them as disabled people trying to live independent and fulfilling lives.

For a map of city centre Nottingham, including bus and train stations and parking places go to http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=7240&p=0

Please also help us spread the word about Hardest Hit. Nottingham is one of many cities across the Midlands that have been severely affected by budget cuts. Across the region people are seeing deep cuts in services such as social care and transport, which they rely on to remain independent. Please come along, and bring as many friends and family as you can. Help us to send a clear message to the Government: stop these cuts.

To register your interest in the rally please email: eastmidlands@hardesthit.org.uk or call 020 8522 7433

GDP figures show double-dip recession is now a real danger, says Midlands TUC

Rob Johnston, Midlands TUC Regional Secretary

Responding to the final revision of GDP growth figures for the second quarter of 2011, published today (Wednesday) by the Office for National Statistics, Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Rob Johnston said:
“The economic news just keeps on getting worse. Today’s revision of the GDP growth figures show the economy is doing even more badly than expected. There is now a real danger of the UK going back into recession, and the best that current policies can deliver will be years of stagnation.
“The Midlands economy was the hardest hit region during the initial downturn and now we stand on the precipice of another recession.”
“As the manufacturing centre of the country, the Midlands really should be the engine for growth. We all know that we need to boost exports and manufacturing yet the Government’s policies are undermining confidence, investment and growth.”
“Manufacturers across the Midlands are crying out for the Government to get active rather than pontificate from the sidelines. The window of opportunity to avoid another recession in the Midlands is closing fast.”
“We need action to kick start the economy, rather than speeches telling us to look on the bright side. The fall in household spending is almost as steep as at the height of the crash as wages are squeezed, prices rise and families cut back.
“Of course people should be sensible about paying back unsustainable debt, but the truth is that the government is relying on people borrowing more as OBR forecasts reveal. George Osborne must be hoping that people ignore the Prime Minister’s advice to pay back their credit cards today.”

Birmingham Hardest Hit rally

Disabled people, their friends, family and supporters from across the region will gather in Birmingham city centre on 22 October 2011 to protest against cuts to disability benefits and services. We need you to join us and help make our voice heard.
We will gather in Birmingham city centre to protest against Government cuts to disability benefits and services. This is one year on from the comprehensive spending review, which revealed the Government’s intention to slash public spending.
Venue: Victoria Square, outside the council house for the rally.
WHEN: 22 October 2011, at 12:00pm for a 12:30pm start.

Disabled people, those with long-term conditions and their families are being hit the hardest by cuts to the benefits and services they need to live their lives.
Many are living in fear of cuts to essential benefits including Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). The total cuts will mean an estimated £9billion loss to disabled people and their families’ incomes in the UK over the next four years, on top of cuts to many local care and support services.

Sign up for the campaign at: Email westmidlands@hardesthit.org.uk

Or phone 01905 740 500
Find out more info at http://www.hardesthit.org.uk/
Join the conversation at www.facebook.com/thehardesthit
or using #hardesthit on Twitter

No sign of growth strategy or help on living standards squeeze from Chancellor

Brendan Barber

Commenting on the Chancellor's speech to the Conservative Party conference today (Monday), TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: "Millions of people are looking for a strategy to get our economy growing again and respite from the huge squeeze on living standards that this government has worsened with deep spending cuts. They will be sorely disappointed by the Chancellor's speech today.
"At a time when the UK economy is stagnating, all we heard were cheap lines for right-wing activists, a re-hash of old policy announcements and help for bad bosses to mistreat and sack staff on the cheap. The Chancellor is not listening to the growing calls for a plan B - and we are all playing the price."