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I think its good to have a discussion over it but I have already seen a few things that make me feel alittle angry/upset.
I would prefer not to strike, I like my job and I like working. However all I have know for the last 3-4 years is the Goverment shafting me senseless. Whether its pensions, pay, support to buy first house, fuel costing more, food costing more the list goes on and on. I do know this effects us all, but there are some of us it effects more. My pension is my future. I doubt I'll ever be in a position to by a second or third home as a nest egg I can fall back on when I retire so my pension is important. Very important! FFRR TD6 HSE
Adriatic Blue with Parchment leather.

Or we could go and live in Greece or Italy

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Yes, there is always someone in a worse position. FFRR TD6 HSE
Adriatic Blue with Parchment leather.

Even after the proposed changes to public sector pensions I would rather have that than what I have. It's still a VERY good deal when compared to private sector pensions.

The main change which should be implemented is to have a fund from which they are paid. At present the PS pensions are paid from general taxation which is both grossly unfair to all taxpayers and it also never accrues a fund which can be invested and improved.

I don't think the proposed changes are anything except 100% reasonable. As I said before, it should have gone further. Bottom line is very very simple. The country cannot afford luxuries when the economy is on it's arse, and paying pensions which are not related in any way to the individual investment is a luxury beyond most others.

We used to have such a thing in the private sector, it was called SERPS. They soon got rid of that when it became a financial burden. This is no different. You simply cannot spend what isn't there, unless, like the last administration, you borrow it from future generations. Selfish is a word which comes to mind, can't think why. Personally I'd rather provide for my kids, not steal from them, and yes, borrowing without permission is stealing.

!


+1

Sorry, but are you saying I am stealing from my own kids by striking for 4 hours tomorrow?
This is the issue with the thread, I'm all for an open discussion but its only going to get pesonal as people feel strongly about it.

I mean, as someone who struggled to get onto the housing market 5-6 years ago and had to pay silly money for a 2 bedroom matchbox, which has since lost value, I could easily lay into anyone that was lucky enough to buy their 2d, 3rd maybe 4th house when it was cheap. That sort of buying impacted on the housing getting more expensive but those that could do it didnt give a as they could make some quick cash and rightly wanted to look after their future at the expense of others in less favourable positions.

I aint saying anyone is right or wrong, its all just opinions, and strong ones at that. FFRR TD6 HSE
Adriatic Blue with Parchment leather.

I think it's grossly unfair to the people who are striking.

At the simplest form it's a contract.
They were promised to get a certain product if they spent so much a month.

Then they were told ah to get this you now need to pay another 30% and have another 10-15% taken off your wage to make up for it.

Oh and now we want to change it again so it actually pays out a lot less than you thought.

At the end of the day they are just being shafted again and again. Why should they or anyone stand for it? You don't see mps taking pay cuts or limits on their expenses to protect the coffers do you??

What sort of percentage are the private sector folk paying out in pension contributions?

GregP wrote:

Yes, there is always someone in a worse position

I don't honestly know what the average is but I know my employer matches upto circa 5%.

Bit pointless really as I think it's better in a savings account or on a second mortgage and renting it out

Trommel wrote:

GregP wrote:

Yes, there is always someone in a worse position

Keep on striking, we'll get there soon.

I dont think striking is causing the ecomonic position we are in.  FFRR TD6 HSE
Adriatic Blue with Parchment leather.

*

As Greg says +1

Doesn't it also save huge wads of cash as any strikers don't get paid for that day, they won't use the electric in their office or water so that would save a few more quid and with less traffic the normal transit system will be less strained and more efficient??

GregP wrote:

I dont think striking is causing the ecomonic position we are in.

No, it's helping it.

There is no money.

The public sector has been grossly bloated by Labour's cynical meddling and pensions are now paid for 25+ years after retirement, not 6 or 7. Ludicrously-generous unfunded public sector pensions cannot be maintained - selfishly claiming it's "my right" is only going to screw over future generations even more.

When will people wake up to this?

I notice a lot have voted no yet haven't spoken up