Throughout most of 2010 trade unions were instrumental in mobilising millions of workers in opposition to the government’s proposals to raise the pension age and the number of years of contributions to earn a full pension. Despite the strikes and protests the government went ahead with the reforms but most trade unions continue to make their opposition known. In a recent meeting of the pension schemes steering committee the CGT, for example, made it clear that it would continue to highlight the situation of people on very low pensions, often hidden by statistics citing average pensions. It would also focus on the needs of workers in dangerous and difficult occupations and generally ensure that pensions remained at the centre of the public debate.
Read more at > CGT (FR)
Unions maintain their opposition to pension changes
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Pension changes implemented despite union opposition
Earlier this month parliament approved government plans to gradually increase pension ages by five years starting from next year. The change has been widely rejected by trade unions with public service workers joining recent demonstrations to show their opposition. The issue was discussed at last month's meeting of EPSU's constituency covering Russian and Central Asia which agreed a statement expressing concern not just about the impact of the change but also about the failure of the government to carry out a proper consultation with trade unions.
Union maintains campaign against pension changes
PCS, the main civil service union, is continuing its campaign of protests and strike action over proposed changes to the pension scheme covering central government. Over the next two months PCS members are being urged to support a ban on voluntary overtime and campaigning will be stepped up in the autumn when the union will coordinate action with other public sector unions. [Read more at > PCS (EN)->http://www.pcs.org.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/F89EA852-5B31-4AF5-9469FAD80CA11B4C] [And at > PCS->http://www.pcs.org.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/D970A15A-C631
Union opposition to retirement age change
The FNSFP public service union federation continues to express its opposition to government proposals to increase the pension age. From the end of this year a full pension will no longer be available at 60 after 36 years' service. The age and length of service will gradually increase over the next 10 years until a full pension will only be available at 65 years of age after 40 years' service. Read more at > FNSFP