ASCL accepts government’s latest pensions offer ‘with reservations’
After a long and intense discussion, ASCL’s Executive has accepted the outline ‘Heads of Agreement’ document for reforms to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme which was the result of negotiations between the government and unions before Christmas. This agreement provides the basis upon which further negotiations will take place. The Executive’s decision took into consideration feedback from a survey of ASCL members which showed that more than three-quarters believed that ASCL should sign up to the agreement.
Whilst this agreement represents a significant improvement upon the original offer made by the government it is not a final ‘deal’ as some factors are yet to be finalised and there are eight significant areas which need to be discussed, including contribution levels and flexibility for those who wish to retire early.
ASCL General Secretary Brian Lightman said:
“It was with considerable reservation that Executive took the decision to accept this agreement. We recognise that we have achieved a significant improvement over the first offer put on the table and that it provides important concessions, but there is also huge anger from our members about how the whole process has been managed and the inconsiderate way the profession is being treated.
“Throughout this difficult time ASCL remained committed to negotiating with the government, to ensure that young people’s education was not disrupted and that lines of communication remained open, and we are pleased that this approach, however demanding, has been successful. We have warned ministers that school and college leaders are feeling demoralised and disempowered by the government’s assault from all directions on the education system, and the approach it takes during the remaining negotiations will be all important if a final agreement is to be reached.
“One of the key areas ASCL will be pushing in the coming weeks is flexibility to retire early. We are convinced that the proposal to raise the retirement age to 68 will have a detrimental effect on teaching standards by requiring people to work to an age when many no longer have the stamina and drive to perform at a level required of teachers and school leaders in a demanding and tiring job. ASCL Executive believes that the government is making a grave mistake in insisting on this and it is very important that flexibilities are introduced to the scheme enabling people to retire before 68.
“We also believe that the current proposal for tiered contributions for 2013-15 places an unfair burden on school leaders and that the gradient needs to be reduced.”
On the Local Government Pension Scheme, Brian Lightman said:
“It must be remembered that thousands of support staff in schools and colleges are in the local government scheme rather than the teachers’ scheme and are being represented in separate negotiations. We are continuing to urge the Treasury to ensure that all workers in education get a fair deal on pensions. We believe that the principles put forward will provide a positive framework for ongoing negotiations.”
30 January 2012
