The public service cuts & strike action.

[Dandyman]

Maybe not but the contribution from your employer is. And that contribution - probably into a final salary scheme - guarantees you a significantly higher pension than someone in the private sector with a defined contribution scheme.

True, however I also get a lower wage than I could get working for a law firm or big retailer, no expense account, no bonus, no company car, no share options, etc.

That said pitting the public and private sectors against each other is just cynical government politics. Workers in both sectors should be fighting to protect and claim proper pension provision. Those who say it can't be afforded should look at the pension schemes the top CBI/IOD bosses claim for themselves.

 

[beorhthelm]

That said pitting the public and private sectors against each other is just cynical government politics.

is the government doing this? as far as pensions are concerned, its being brought to our attention by the cries from the unions. the PCS union in particular is stirring the issue up. a bit like RMT, it is adopting a militant position to boost its presence and drum up members, while other unions are having dialogue with managment.

i dont think the government is interesting in pitting public against private, rather its saying we cannot afford so much in one and the other will have to provide some services and, more importantly, provide the growth for the economy and employment.

... the poorest and weakest in society have to suffer cutbacks in services, benefits etc because the financial sector almost brought the country to a state of bancruptcy.

but its very little to do with the problems in the financial sector. Labour over borrowed and now theres a down turn theres insufficient money to pay the debt according to plan. the facts are that we would be in the same postion anyway, it maybe just occured a year or two earlier. the economic miracle never existed, the boom was going to go bust sooner or later.