Thousands protest at 'biggest ever pensions change'Thousands of trade unionists, including many NATFHE members, took part in protests across the country on 18 February to protest at proposed changes to the pensions of more than seven million public servants. The protests were part of the TUC's Protecting Public Service Pensions Campaign Day. College of North East London Every NATFHE member at the college signed a branch petition against the changes to the Teachers Pension Scheme. Several lecturers gathered at a post box to send off the 100 signature petition, to local MP, David Lammy, urging him to support the NATFHE campaign against pensions robbery. Local media were sent a press release explaining the action NATFHE HQ London The TUC's main London event took place at NATFHE conference centre. Speakers included TUC general secretary Brendan Barber and NATFHE's Paul Mackney, plus: Chris Keates, general secretary of NASUWT; Hugh Lanning, deputy general secretary, PCS; Jean Geldhart, Chair of the national services group, UNISON; Peter Allenson, T&G; John Bourne general secretary, FDA; and Tony Brockman of the NUT. (Read Paul Mackney's speech here). University College Northampton A NATFHE branch meeting on 18 February passed two resolutions in defence of pensions. Branch secretary Ron Mendel, with local PCS and NUT reps, met with Tony Clarke, MP for Northampton South, and Sally Keeble, MP for Northampton North to request their support or the early day motion in defence of the normal retirement age of 60. Westminster University Dozens of staff at the university have sent a signed petition and message to their Vice Chancellor and senior management asking 'What have you done to safeguard my pension?' De Montfort University NATFHE has agreed a joint statement with the campus AUT and UNISON branches, and the university's Vice Chancellor, calling for defence of pensions in higher education. The statement will be publicized shortly. Coventry University There was a lunchtime rally outside Coventry Council House, with speakers from UNISON, PCS, T&G, NUT, and NATFHE vice-president John Wilkin, who later went on to lobby local MP Jim Cunningham. Belfast Members of the Northern Ireland Region of NATFHE joined with hundreds of other representatives of public sector trades unions at Belfast's City Hall to protest at the government's attempt to rob workers of their pensions. "We will not stand by and let Blair pickpocket our pensions", was the message at a packed meeting held at Transport House after a march through the city centre. The unions represented included FBU, Amicus, UNISON, Nipsa, PCS and all the teacher unions, and they pledged themselves to stand firm with fellow trades unionists in Great Britain to oppose this unacceptable policy (Wesley McCann, Regional Secretary NI). If your branch organises any activity please offer your help and tell NATFHE press officer, Trevor Phillips, (email here for other campaigning and media ideas. TELL US YOUR CONCERNSTo get our message over, we need your voices. The media want REAL, local people in their stories. If you don’t tell them, who will? Are you 40 years old and about to have your pension reduced by 10%? Or are you nearing retirement but willing to speak out for future lecturers facing a potential 23% reduction in overall pension benefits, or the prospect of working five extra years? Are you willing to describe your feelings about all this? Tell your local media and the regional TUC - and tell NATFHE press officer Trevor Phillips. He will provide support if you need it. MATERIALSThe following pension campaign materials can be downloaded or will be online soon, and will also be emailed to branches.
Launch a branch campaign in 2005 For information about creating a longer term branch campaign, click here or email Trevor Phillips. TUC information For details of the TUC's Protecting Public Service Pensions Campaigns Day, including briefings and materials, click on www.tuc.org.uk/publicpensions. Contact your MP Your MP To find out who your local MP is, visit www.locata.co.uk/commons or contact Jen Khalfan, NATFHE's Political Liaison Officer: telephone 020 7520 3211, email [email protected]. 1 Write to them at the Houses of Parliament, London SW1A 1AA 2 Phone them at the House of Commons, telephone 020 7219 3000 (ask for your MP by name) 3 Call their constituency office (your local phone directory will have the number) 4 Find your MP and email them on www.writetothem.com. If you intend to lobby your MP either in your constituency or in parliament or for further advice about contacting your MP including model letters, pensions briefings & MP information, please contact Jen Khalfan, NATFHE's Political Liaison Officer: telephone 020 7520 3211, email [email protected]. Remember, the larger the MP's postbag the more they are likely to listen. It is important that as many people contact their constituency MP as possible. Please send a copy of your letter and your MP's response to Jen Khalfan at [email protected]. If you are contacting your MP, this new information may be very helpful: How many public servants work in your constituency? FURTHER INFORMATION• Latest news about pensions here
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