University members asked to strike to defend USS pension scheme

UNISON is urging members at universities across the UK who are members of the Universities Superannuation Scheme to vote for strike action to defend their pension scheme, which employers want to change from a ‘defined benefit’ scheme to a ‘defined contribution’ scheme. That would mean members’ pensions would depend not on how long they’d worked and paid into the scheme, but what sort of package they could buy with their individual fund when they retired. Academic staff colleagues at universities across the UK who are in the UCU union have already begun strike action over the proposals, which UNISON members rejected by 91% in an internal consultation. Now, the union’s higher education service group executive is unanimously calling on them to take strike action. An industrial action ballot will start in April. “It seems unthinkable that Universities UK is putting forward a proposal to make some of the lowest-paid take on more risk for less money in retirement,” said UNISON head of higher education Donna Rowe-Merriman. She pointed out that the proposed changes will affect everyone currently in the scheme, including professional support staff such as administrators and librarians, as well as a number of cleaners, security staff and porters. Ms Rowe-Merriman added: “The significant turnout in UNISON’s consultation shows the strength of feeling. UNISON members are prepared to defend the USS scheme and take strike action alongside UCU colleagues. “UNISON bel...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Article News education services higher education pensions universities USS Source Type: news