The UK is set for a major strike today, May 9, 2012. Around 20,000 off duty police officers will join the protest by marching through London. Yes, they will not kettled, will they?
The protest is about the government attacks on public sector pensions and job cuts. Police officers are not allowed to strike so the march by off duty officers is all they can do to show their anger. UK police force numbers have been cut and the Coalition plans to replace these skilled professionals with "part-time police" A type of second class officer, that of course is much cheaper.
Public Sector pensions though are at the heart of the issue. Workers are facing much higher contributions for a pension that will pay less and not be payable until much later in life. Government pensions will of course not be affected in quite the same way. No surprise there then.
Yesterday's Queen's speech in the UK made it plain that the proposed reform to pensions is to go ahead as planned. In a speech which did nothing to provide any growth for the UK it was revealed that the retirement age in the UK would rise faster than previously anticipated.
Around 400,000 workers are expected to strike today and this will include, airports, jobcentres, tax offices, colleges, driving test centres, museums and military sites. Disruptions are expected. Today's strike could also affect flights, for example, tomorrow if a backlog is left from today. Check before travelling.
The UK Coalition will be keeping their fingers crossed that further disruption will not go ahead and hit the Queen's Jubilee nor the London 2012 Olympics. However the point of a strike is inconvenience, so watch this space. The UK government are in no mood to negotiate let alone cave in to demands so furtther action is likely.
Tags: UK public sector strike, UK pension reform strike, UK austerity, UK job cuts, economy in UK
The protest is about the government attacks on public sector pensions and job cuts. Police officers are not allowed to strike so the march by off duty officers is all they can do to show their anger. UK police force numbers have been cut and the Coalition plans to replace these skilled professionals with "part-time police" A type of second class officer, that of course is much cheaper.
Public Sector pensions though are at the heart of the issue. Workers are facing much higher contributions for a pension that will pay less and not be payable until much later in life. Government pensions will of course not be affected in quite the same way. No surprise there then.
Yesterday's Queen's speech in the UK made it plain that the proposed reform to pensions is to go ahead as planned. In a speech which did nothing to provide any growth for the UK it was revealed that the retirement age in the UK would rise faster than previously anticipated.
Around 400,000 workers are expected to strike today and this will include, airports, jobcentres, tax offices, colleges, driving test centres, museums and military sites. Disruptions are expected. Today's strike could also affect flights, for example, tomorrow if a backlog is left from today. Check before travelling.
The UK Coalition will be keeping their fingers crossed that further disruption will not go ahead and hit the Queen's Jubilee nor the London 2012 Olympics. However the point of a strike is inconvenience, so watch this space. The UK government are in no mood to negotiate let alone cave in to demands so furtther action is likely.
Tags: UK public sector strike, UK pension reform strike, UK austerity, UK job cuts, economy in UK
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