Next Gen News

Five readers share their views they support the strike of the future pension or consider it a faux pas

on Monday

an article written by a professor

Caroline Ryder, who talks about his work and why they go on strike on November 30. Also asked readers for their own stories and points of view. The following is a selection of responses

Stephen: "I am disappointed by the language of my union"

few months ago, the decision was much simpler: pensions are the only good thing about teaching - I have to attack. But now I'm not so sure.

The first is that pensions are not the only advantage of being a teacher. I became a teacher because of retirement. I finally found something I was good and I liked it. I had tried before in engineering, computer sales, and even being in a band, but is not good for them or do not appreciate them. I love teaching. And I'm good at it (mostly).

The salary is not bad. When I started teaching the highest payment you could expect in 2000 was approximately £ 25,000. Now that £ 39,000 could expect more than a 50% increase in 10 years or so - well above the inflation rate at the time

holiday, flexible hours and are generally bright. Like most teachers, I'm at work at 8 am and work late some nights. I work at home. I work during the holidays. But I do not work all the time. Being a teacher has allowed me to keep my wife to return to work after having children and we help child care during school holidays.

I am disappointed in the language that comes out of my union. According to them, I am "demoralized" and desperate to have my "class freed from the shackles of documentation." I am, in fact, none of these things. I am worried about pensions, but I was surprised by some of the language emotional frothingly mouth, I had the e-mail to me in recent weeks. Moreover, I did some research and found a report suggesting that teachers' unions were in no mood for compromise as far as 1997 when the new Labour government came to power and create a working group to study the primary pension plan. In 2004 the government was afraid to make significant changes to the pension plan for teachers' unions. It made me wonder if a more conciliatory attitude again in early 2000 (when we all lived in our strong credit bubble) could have resulted in a more constructive dialogue now.

Alan: "It's an opportunity to make our voices heard"

My wife and I are on strike on November 30. She works part time at a Jobcentre inner city and work full time for the General Council of Education for England (at least until March, when it will be one of the many "arm's length body" for be abolished - only to have their main features repackaged and renamed as an expensive "executive agency"). We both believe in a small, but important, we offer a service that made this country a better place to live. Our income combined is approximately £ 40 000 and as most people are struggling now to meet our financial commitments.

Therefore, the decision to strike was not taken lightly. In these times of union with the right media, dominated by many people do not realize they are not paid while striking. For both of us to lose a day's wages in the last payment before Christmas, is a major challenge.

However, both feel that we have to take a stand to defend our pensions. The lies and misinformation disseminated discuss this issue in the media is really depressing. The Hutton Report dispel many of the "or" myths about public sector pensions, but are debited by the Conservative Party and their media friends. The average pension in the public sector is £ 5.600 per year. The average pension of directors of large companies is £ 175,000.

For many of us on strike on Wednesday is an opportunity to make our voices heard, retirement is not just, but the widespread injustice, lack of accountability and hypocrisy the scars of our society. With the government's attempts to criminalize legitimate protest continued, widespread and inclusive actions like this are increasingly important. On November 30 we will make a stand to assert our authority over elected to serve, not to screw us.

Rachel: "I will strike, because I believe in education"

1. I am one of the lucky few "young" in Britain, who now works.

It makes me sad that a young professional to read the headlines saying that it is a blow rather than pensions. I grew up in a family that has survived in the salary of a factory worker with five children to feed, the money I earn at the same time exceeds the combined income of my parents, at any time in your life. I'm not a bad teacher, do not deserve mercy.
going to hit, because I believe in my profession and those struggling to behave as professionals, while being demonized by the government and the media. I'm going on strike because I think it can still be passionate and committed to educating the youth of my attention during my career. I'm going on strike because I should be allowed to develop this passion with good health, inspiration and training on the understanding that you feel comfortable in my old age. I'm going on strike because I believe in education.