Voice comments on strike vote by NUT and ATL

Tuesday, 14 June 2011 4:36 PM

Commenting on the results of the NUT and ATL ballots on strike action over pensions, Philip Parkin, General Secretary of Voice: the union for education professionals, which does not take industrial action, said: “There is not the overwhelming support for strike action that the NUT and ATL leadership were no doubt expecting.

“The NUT’s turn-out was 40%, meaning that only 37% of its members eligible to vote backed strike action. ATL’s turn-out was 35%, meaning just 29% of its eligible electorate said ‘yes’ to strikes.

“Voice believes that the industrial action being contemplated by the other unions is unnecessary and will be ineffective.

“Any changes to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme will need to be made through statutory processes and consultations between the government employers and unions, including Voice through its membership of the Teachers' Superannuation Working Party..
“We can only win the argument – which is a strong argument – on pensions at the negotiating table, not on the picket line.

“In the modern world, public sector strikes do not achieve anything and are counter-productive. Governments do not change their plans because staff have gone on strike.
“Striking is a negative force that damages education and the public perception of teachers as professionals. Strikes disrupt children’s education and inconvenience parents, who may themselves lose money when they have to miss work or pay for additional childcare.

“Going on strike also sends the wrong message to students, setting an example of trying to achieve demands by force rather than negotiation.

“As demonstrated by the positive achievements of the workforce agreement, the best possible outcomes are achieved by dialogue and negotiation, not conflict.

“Voice opposes the proposed changes to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme. It believes that the Scheme is sustainable and Voice rejects the argument that public service pensions are too expensive. They are fair and affordable.

“Public service pensions have already been through a sufficient process of review and reform.”

Voice’s view

In November 2006, the teacher unions, the government and employers’ organisations agreed changes to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme in order to modernise the Scheme and to make it financially viable and sustainable for the longer term. These changes were implemented on 1 January 2007.

Voice believe these changes should be given time to work.

The changes in 2007 included:

· a retirement age of 65 for new entrants to the Scheme; and
· an increase in contributions from 6% to 6.4% for all teachers.
A valuation of the England & Wales Scheme was due on 31 March 2008 and the Scottish Scheme in 2011. These valuations have not been carried out and therefore the Government does not have the evidence to prove that the schemes are not affordable.

Voice believes, and has argued, that there should be no changes to the Schemes until these valuations have been carried out. Voice believes that:
· pensions are part of teachers’ total remuneration package;
· changes will damage the confidence of teachers and other public servants;
· changes will affect recruitment and retention; and
· pensions should not be used to raise money for the Government by increasing contributions.
Voice will be arguing these points throughout the forthcoming and ongoing consultations.

Further information

Pensions review: www.voicetheunion.org.uk/pensionsreview
Industrial action: www.voicetheunion.org.uk/action

ends

Contacts: Voice Press Office (pressoffice@voicetheunion.org.uk) on 01332 372337 or 0794 871 0413 or General Secretary Philip Parkin (philipparkin@voicetheunion.org.uk) on 01332 372 337 or 077 259 601 32.
www.blog.voicetheunion.org.uk
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