Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/687/12866
From The Socialist newspaper, 28 September 2011
Standing up for our pension rights
The Gloucestershire Echo recently ran a feature on the pros and cons of going on strike to defend pensions, Socialist Party member Rob Bishop put the position for the strikes, against the arguments of a local Tory MP.
These are extracts from his article:
"I fully support the strike. The workers are defending their terms and conditions and the government isn't seriously negotiating. They've had the unions around the table, then made an unrealistic offer that was always going to be unacceptable to the unions.
What can you do when your pensions are being raided and you're losing something that you've worked long and hard for? Just like anybody would, they're standing up to defend their rights.
We are running a huge budget deficit because the last Labour government bailed out the banks. The government is trying to make ordinary working people pay for a crisis not of their making. It was nothing to do with the public sector workers and they shouldn't be the ones who are expected to solve the problem. Many of the people whose pensions are at risk are not well paid at all, which makes it doubly unfair.
I suggest they increase the tax take by hunting down all the millionaires who take their profits abroad to avoid tax, because that would be much fairer.
That would go partly to make up the shortfall because there's something like £120 billion which goes uncollected - and that's a huge amount.
Many of the leaders of the unions involved are not known for their militant tendencies, but their members are forcing them into it because they know they have to fight for what they are due.
I was at the National Shop Stewards Network meeting in London recently and it was clear the mood is militant - justifiably so.
The union members know that their futures are at risk and that's why they are doing this. I only hope that the TUC turns out to be as militant as its members."
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In The Socialist 28 September 2011:
Building for 30 November strike
Mass strikes can kick out Con-Dems
Jarrow march for jobs
Join the Jarrow marchers on their 330 mile journey!
Why are you supporting the march?
Jarrow march - council puts high price on right to protest
The Socialist's editorials
World economy in meltdown - we won't pay for capitalist crisis
Pro-business Labour offers crumbs and promises cuts
Socialist history
1911 - Bermondsey women's uprising
Socialist Party youth and students
£6,000 uni fees? An offer we can refuse!
Fight fees and cuts - join Socialist Students!
Youth demand a future in Tottenham
Socialist Party news and analysis
As Murdochgate scandal goes on - release Tommy Sheridan!
Scotland: SNP do the Con-Dems' dirty work
Dale Farm - call off the evictions of residents
Metal thefts - The hidden crime of capitalism
Socialism 2011: A weekend of discussion and debate
International socialist news and analysis
As debt crisis deepens... Greek workers and youth in revolt
Socialist Party workplace news
Construction workers strike to defend agreements
Greenwich Unite takes fight to cuts councillors
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
PFI schemes - a national scandal
Salford says: Save Lancaster House!
Stroud demo against private sharks killing the NHS
Socialist Party review
Film review: Tinker tailor soldier spy
Readers' comments
My impressions of the Work Programme
Standing up for our pension rights
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