Public sector staff stand united against changes to pensions
THE strike by public sector staff against pension increases was the biggest industrial action in recent memory, according to union chiefs.
Thousands failed to turn up for work in schools, hospitals, councils and tax offices in North East Lincolnshire and Lincolnshire, with union bosses warning it was a taste of action to come – unless the Government negotiated a better pension deal.
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UNITED FRONT: John Wearing, of the Society Of Radiographers, and Marian Jervis, Unison case worker for the Grimsby and Goole Health branch, at the rally in Town Hall Square, Grimsby, on the national day of public sector strikes. Picture: Rick Byrne. Buy this photo at www.thisisphotosales.co.uk/grimsby or by calling 08444 060910.
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RALLYING SUPPORT: Dave Oglesby, full time officer for the GMB, talks to workers at the rally in Town Hall Square.
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LOUD AND CLEAR: Striking Louth County Hospital staff protesting at pension contributions from 6.30am on the day of action.
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HOLD UP THAT PLACARD: Unison member Laurence McDowall and Ann Moses, Unison branch secretary, pictured at the entrance to the Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital, Grimsby, on the national day of public sector strikes.
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FAIR DEAL: Workers at the rally in Town Hall Square, Grimsby
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Workers listen to speeches at the rally in Town Hall Square, Grimsby, on the national day of public sector strikes. Picture: Rick Byrne PICTURE: Rick Byrne / Grimsby Telegraph Buy this photo at www.thisisphotosales.co.uk/grimsby or by contacting 08444 060910 REQUESTED BY: story by Peter Craig CONTACT: DATE: 30/11/2011 POSTCODE: KEYWORDS:
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STANDING UP: Striking staff outside Lincolnshire County Council social services offices in Eastfield Road, Louth.
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WALKOUT: Striking Louth County Hospital staff protesting at pension changes.
In North East Lincolnshire, many sites where public sector staff work were lined with pickets, which had carnival-style atmospheres despite the serious message of protest to the Government about planned increases in pension contributions.
Only a handful of schools remained open as the gates of up to 40 schools were locked, forcing parents to seek alternative childcare arrangements or take a day off work.
The action also saw ...
Motorists passing through the toll booths on the Humber Bridge enjoy free crossings as booths were unmanned.
Scores of operations at Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital postponed and only limited staffing of wards available to patients. Louth County Hospital had a picket line and only a limited service to patients.
North East Lincolnshire Council services curbed with a number of libraries closed, and the education welfare service, the children's disability respite service and the pupil referral unit were also closed.
Confusion arise over waste collection services, as a council spokesman said they were operating as normal, but union representatives said there was no refuse service.
Key services to vulnerable people in the community continue following an agreement with unions and council managers.
The crematorium service exempt from industrial action and continued operating.
And services in East Lindsey also affected by dispute.
Dave Tomlinson, assistant branch secretary for union Unison, said: "Today has been the biggest turnout of industrial action we have had in recent history.
"Quite a lot of people have come out in support. There may be not masses on the picket lines but most have not gone to work.
"The public have, in the main, been supportive and they have got the message."
He said the action, which disrupted services and education, could be a rehearsal for further industrial action if the dispute is not settled.
Mr Tomlinson continued: "There could be more rolling action and selective action in future if we don't get a response from the Government. We don't like to take action, but it is our only option."
He joined the rally of about 200 union members in Town Hall Square, Grimsby, where protesters were addressed by Jim Bell, a regional spokesman for the health sector of Unison.
He said the dispute was about jobs and pay, as well as pension contributions.
He warned members the day's pay they lost by taking the action could become a day's pay lost each month for the rest of their working lives.
The spokesman said the unions had spent months looking for agreement with the Government over public sector pensions.
But he accused the Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition of being "two cheeks of the same backside". Protesters cheered in support.
Among the several unions represented at the rally was the Public and Commercial Services Union.
Committee member Ian Lawther said 80 per cent of staff at Imperial House, Grimsby, where tax and tax credit services are provided, had gone on strike.
"Members of the public knew there was a strike on so have not turned up as normal," he said. "Our public inquiries counter is closed and tax and tax credit and business tax services are running at a reduced service."
He was angry at the prospect of having to pay £800 a year more in order to get less pension.
89 Comments
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by IanLawther
Tuesday, December 06 2011, 6:06PM
“Cleeboy,
It wouldn't be so bad it you actually got your facts right! What you constantly do is read the headline but appear to have read nothing beyond it. You proport to quote government reports on pensions etc. but clearly have never actually read the Hutton report. Or, if I was to give you a little more credit, maybe you just like quoting the bits you like while ignoring the bits you don't and the bits that shoot holes in your arguments!”
by djants
Monday, December 05 2011, 5:44PM
“Cleeboy.
Which 'extra' taxes do you pay that the rest don't?
People pay tax to the government. Last year the lower earnings limit WENT DOWN. Any tax increase to people earning over whatever the supertax bracket is was not to fund the public sector.
With any service, you pay a fee. Tax is no different. Just because you pay for something, it does not give you the right to dictate how the employees are renumerated. Your tax would remain the same regardless.
You have this knack of over simplifying and make crass generalisations which are offensive.”
by grimrich
Monday, December 05 2011, 3:14PM
“contract to work for the government contracted to do as they say ! slaves to the machine”
by KBS71
Monday, December 05 2011, 12:57PM
“Truth is we are free to choose - to choose another job, to choose to strike or not, to choose to get a pension or not, to choose how we spend our money. Each to their own. The whole idea of a stike is to cause disruption - what would be the point if it didn't? For now it is just the public sector under attack because they are the easy targets - who's to say the government will stop there? If they want your money too, they will find a way of getting it...”
by p_rhana
Monday, December 05 2011, 10:07AM
“Cleeboy
You're so full of your own importance but really you must be so lonely continually bothering us here in NEL. What's up, won't anyone have anything to do with you where you've moved to? I can't say I blame them but make the effort and get out more and leave us in peace, because you don't belong here and nobody here is in need of your mite so go and find a collection tray to toss it in.”
by Cleeboy
Monday, December 05 2011, 9:19AM
“p_rhana,
do n't like the facts of life do you?
NEL is not self-supporting, It needs constant cash injection from the taxpayers of other regions. Only profitable private sector activity can remedy that.
Until then, you need my taxes.”
by p_rhana
Sunday, December 04 2011, 10:02PM
“Cleeboy by US I mean the people of NEL as you well know. You don't belong here, pay no taxes here, make no contribution to the life here, so wind your neck in, butt out and spew your personal bile where you live.”
by SteveCritten5
Sunday, December 04 2011, 9:33PM
“1. Maybe the comments made by Lord Hutton this morning will assist those deluded to get real, for, some of you have declared these Public Sector pensions are 'affordable' quoting long term GDP %'s from Lord Hutton's report. THe man himself says this is not so and that even more drastic reform is required. He is right.
Cleeboy I know I am probably preaching to the unconvertable because you have been brainwashed but the above statement is correct!!! There I have said it... That is why in 2004 there was a review which changed the pension schemes to new joiners and these pension schemes are sustainable. This is not about sustainability it is about raising extra revenue for the government.
All those that went on strike (not me by the way but I stood by their side in support) are asking is for the contract they signed to be honoured. If I was an African who ordered your parts and as they were on the way I decided I couldn't afford them at the current price and revised our contract, would you sit idly by and accept it? No I don't think you would.”
by SteveCritten5
Sunday, December 04 2011, 9:19PM
“by Cleeboy:
it's the extra tax that I pay to support the unsupportable that IS my business."
I already explained in an earlier post that some of the schemes were not invested but used by the respective councils, you or your parents were willing to take my money or my predecessors money but now it has run out you don't want to pay your share. mmmmm who is selfish???”
by Cleeboy
Sunday, December 04 2011, 9:08PM
“p_rhana
"Go spew your personal bile where you live and leave us in peace, we don't need your meddling and arrogance.""
But, p_rhana you do seem to need my taxes, makes it my business, and, more importantly, the taxes of the 80% of the UK workforce that work in the private sector.
As for leaving you "in peace" it seems a funny sort of peace when you go on strike to disrupt the lives of other people.
Still here, goodnight all - for now.”