[2021] Motion 59 Public sector pay and pensions

Composited motion

Received from:

Congress condemns the UK government’s continued public sector pay restraint policy and its refusal to address public sector pension deficiencies.

The government’s public sector pay policies have resulted in the value of the average public sector worker’s pay falling over the last 10 years; workers are working harder and more flexibly, for less pay in real terms. Long-term pay restraint is having a detrimental impact on the living standards of workers and it is compounded by rising inflation.

Congress also calls on the UK government and the devolved administrations’ governments to redress the detriment suffered by members conscripted to the Scottish Teachers’ Pension Scheme (and other similar schemes) in 2015, whereby such members cannot access pension benefits accrued under the scheme before normal pension age (67/68) without actuarial reduction. Public sector pension schemes need to be improved to allow workers to access their pension at a reasonable age without punitive reductions.

Congress, therefore, calls for a major campaign in 2021/22 to highlight the need for a major programme of pay restoration for the public sector that also recognises the contribution made by frontline workers during the pandemic. This campaign should also aim to improve the value of public sector pensions and to allow access to pension benefits before state retirement age.

Congress, therefore, calls on the General Council to assist with the harmonisation of the campaigning activity of affiliates over the next year on improved public sector pay and addressing public sector pension deficiencies.

Educational Institute of Scotland

Amendment

In paragraph 4, sentence 1:

Delete “for a major campaign” and replace with “on the General Council to embark upon a high-profile and coordinated campaign”

Insert “vital” between “the” and “contribution”

Insert “all” between “by” and “frontline”

Insert “across public and private sectors” between “workers” and “during”.

NASUWT