If the pensions row is not resolved, NUT and other teaching unions will join ATL with continued industrial action. Whilst I fully support the teachers, as most do a fantastic job with little reward for any additional hours put in, the pensions issue may be their undoing. Final Salary pensions are a dying breed as they are expensive to the employer (the tax payer in this case), and they tend to favour those who have a greater career progression culminating in a high salary. The pension scheme however doesn’t treat the lower paid/part timers (usually women) as fairly; with wage are freezes year after year those who remain static in their jobs gain no benefit under the current pension scheme, however the changes proposed would mean a bigger pension for those who are lower paid. Their pension would be calculated on a yearly basis and increased each year in line with inflation until they retire.
Whilst the public sector are often in lower paid jobs, the pension scheme is often seen as an attractive reason to join, however as usual it is weighted to benefit management and not the cleaners, dinner ladies and teaching assistants. Teachers should have a good pension scheme, but not based on an unequal basis.
Jason E Cooper 