The Coalition Against the Cuts rally outside the Forum in Norwich. Photo by Adrian Judd.
Hundreds protest about planned pension cuts at Norwich rally
Thursday, June 30, 2011
2:56 PM
Hundreds of teachers and public sector workers turned out in force in Norwich to protest about planned changes to their pensions today.
The rally outside The Forum and organised by the Norfolk Coalition Against the cuts saw many different unions and organisations unite for their common cause - and it was one of many ways workers across Norfolk, Suffolk and the whole country were voicing their anger during a 24-hour walk-out.
At the rally outside the Forum the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), the National Union of Teachers, the Association of Teachers and Lecturers and the University and College Lecturers Union, were joined by a number of other groups for the protest.
Huge crowds gathered, and they waved banners and clapped and cheered as the speakers delivered their messages.
Richard Edward, regional secretary of PCS and chairman of the Norfolk Coalition against the Cuts, told the crowds that today was a historic day and that thousands of workers across Norfolk were joining in the protests.
He said: “This is a dress rehearsal unless this government listens to the anger of public sector workers.”
More on this story will follow.
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13 comments
'gdmanton' - "There is no pension black hole for teachers. They make good contributions- these are added to by contributions by their employer." And their Employer is ..........THE TAX PAYER!
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Andy T
Friday, July 1, 2011
"Work more - Pay more". I already do. Thanks to those people who took the Bankers money to try and make a quick profit on the housing market. People were happy to profit from a Labour "boom". Now we all have to suffer the consequences. Welcome to the real world.
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thetford-academy
Friday, July 1, 2011
In the long run pensions will cost taxpayers less. Lord Hutton's report shows this. So the Government is at a loss using that argument.
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anglia_squared
Thursday, June 30, 2011
There is no pension black hole for teachers. They make good contributions- these are added to by contributions by their employer. Over the working time of the teacher this covers the promise made to that teacher at the time of them accepting the job and, during renegotiations several years ago. True - there needs to be changes - The debate should not be "public sector gets more than me" (Is an average pension of less that £10,000 really that good!) but - why is my employer not paying more? Why am I not paying more. The pension time bomb is not public sector- It is the whole of the uk. If we all retire on small pensions then we will have to ask for handouts from the government, which would cost society more. Can we not turn this debate into one when all individuals and firms increase there savings pensions so we all benefit? Finally ask a school leaver if they want to contribute to a pension- they will say no- and carry on saying no until maybe they are in their 30's- Ask a graduate teacher to pay a larger sum - they will not afford it as they will have student loans of say £30k- They will either not join the profession or - worse - not take up the pension-(saving the council money in short run) Is this the governments intention? If it is it is storing up trouble in long run as is the lack of desire not to encourage more savings in the private sector!
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gdmanton
Thursday, June 30, 2011
the picture says it all.__"Would you work more, Pay more For less !"___Unfortunatly the private sector already does thanks to Labour. Time for the public sector to get in the real world or get a proper job.
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Karl Hunter
Thursday, June 30, 2011
I walked past the Forum at lunch-time and saw maybe 100 peolpe protesting. I wonder how many there would have been if it had been a cold, wet and windy day? I suspect not as many. Why should public sector workers be able to retire early on an index linked pension when those in the private sector have to work on to retirement age and then get a plain simple fixed pension?
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Norwich lad
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Public sector employees have had a good run for a long time and as an ordinary tax payer, I don't see why I and others should subsidise them. They did not offer to subsidise my pension, nor protest when Gordon Brown raided my pension fund. I have had to work for much longer than public sector empoyees to subsidise them too - why? The fact that there were only hundredds suggests that most public sector empoyees realise that there is a real world out there. For the minority, get over it and get back to work so I don't have to subsidise you any more.
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andy
Thursday, June 30, 2011
People are living longer and pensions are costing more. Public service workers basically want more in their pension pots without cost to themselves. So they must want taxes to increase or government services to be cut even further.Lets have some common sense. And start talking with government about how to make progress.
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Dr Dee
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Hundreds protest... Thousands worked though. Welcome to my world....I'd rather earn less and be employed, than be beligerent and unemployed. If you're not happy and feel undervalued, get another job and find your true worth. It may not be as much as you think.
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Andy T
Thursday, June 30, 2011
This demonisation of the public sector has to stop. Is it any wonder they're on strike? They've been made to look worthless.
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anglia_squared
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Yes, I was there and had I the opportunity to speak I would have headlined (as the EDP did this morning) the example of how the cuts are killing vulnerable people. This is the future!
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micox
Thursday, June 30, 2011
I can think no better example of nimbyism. Welcome to the real world people.
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BG
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Why? We in the private sector have been suffering since a certain G. Brown was let loose. Strange - how quiet the labour party are. Need I say more!
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biglingers
Thursday, June 30, 2011