Forums Forums Local News Closure of Kingsway and Queensway Tunnels

I wonder how many before contributing to this thread have actually cared to comprehend what this action is for. I suspect as usual because the words Trade Unions are involved they go in to blinked vision and automatically believe it and they are wrong. I think they refrain from or can't grasp the importance of Unions, trade or otherwise. I think a little bit of historical research may help and they might understand why a union of people has been beneficial in the past and will be for the future.

It should be pointed out that when a union have a day of action they don't get paid, so they suffer hardships also. In this particular case there's going to be collateral damage, thats unfortunate but people should remember, what happens to this body of workers today and whatever its outcome will happen to you tomorrow.

I have contributed to a pension every month and then the government are taking it from me. I am on a low income and doing things properly. And what for. To be told I cant have it till I am nearly dead. If I had been out of work for all my working life the government would look after me and pay for my funeral bills. Where is the justice in that. I am being penalized for a pension that will be worth 2000 pounds (index related) a year when I retire, the age I know now 66 + (likely to change again) - will I be fit enough to enjoy the little amount I have put aside. People out there think we are entitled to the pensions as a freebee - that is not the case. We have put into these pensions even if it is only a couple of quid every month. Shouldn't we be entitled to what we put in and get it back when we most need it in life. Plus when we do retire having a private pension income we wont be entitled to other benefits cos we have tried to do the right thing by trying to look after ourselves in our twilight years. My job is physical and demanding it keeps me active. Enough is enough it is so depressing On a lighter note. I am looking forward to Christmas

Spot on Bert!

this goverment seem to think they can do what they want without any reprocushions!!!its about time the country stood up to them,i cant see why some people moan about how inconvienient its going to be for them!!!just think how inconvienient it is for the people who are striking that this goverment think they can just mess with peoples hard earnt pensions!!!good luck to the strikers i say.

Personally, I don't think this strike will have any bearing on the proposed changes to their pensions. If the Tories back down this time, they will bring in the proposals in the coming future. By the way, I bet Labour will also follow this intention and bring in changes when they are also in power. Shame on them. We signed and paid a lot out of our wages for a decent pension and the terms are now being debated - isn't this breach of contract?

Well if you want, contact Merseytravel yourself and offer your services. I hope you have engineering qualifications and skills. Also, be prepared to put in a 12 hour shift.

And Phil and Kathryn, what do you do that so brightens up the world?

i believe they dont want to pay for there own pensions,, they believe we the general public should pay for it for them when the countrys general work force carnt even afford or pay for there own pensions,, im a factory worker myself and could understand if it was a worker hard done by by a boss issue,, but this just looks like public sector greed and the union bosses on over 100k plus a year stiring up trouble because they dont like the tories,, im a labour voter myself and always have been but think the unions have picked the wrong fight this time

Have you even bothered to read up why we're striking? I guess not. I pay over £100 into my pension every month.

I think everyone should have a decent pension when they retire. Not just public sector workers. But just because you don't have one don't bitch about people that want keep theirs. Join a Union yourself, get organised and improve conditons at your own workplace. That's the only way the working-class have ever improved their lot.

You may say you're a Labour voter but by trying to drag other people down to your level you're just doing the Tories work for them.

I have a pension that I had to work for and pay for myself, its not inflation proof and I pay tax on it, so why should I have to pay into there pension out of the taxes I pay. sack the lot lets get the young trained up and into work.

Obviously you can't be bothered reading about the issues either and just want to sound off about things you don't know about. Still, in the interests of enlightenment, I'll explain some things to you.

First of all, local government workers pay into their pension funds every month. When we retire, our incomes like everyone else is taxed.
Yes, my local authority pay into my pension fund also. But so do many private sector companies into their pension funds too. What's your point?
Sack the lot them? Are you as a stupid as you sound? Sack Nurses, Paramedics, Coastguards, Immigration Officers, Police Support Staff, CSIs, Social Workers, Hospital Support Staff, Health & Safety Inspectors, Court Workers, Military Support Staff, Road Sweepers, Refuse Collectors, Librarians, Port Health Officers, Firefighters, Day Care Centre Staff, Registry Office Staff, Bus Drivers, Job Centre Staff, Pension Office Staff, Tunnel Engineers etc.?
And even if the Government did fire them all who would train up your eager young replacements?
If you can answer that with an even slightly sane answer then I'll eat my hat.

think the point is private sector company money is not public taxes,, and with the country all spent up and skint then cuts have got to be made,, nobodys saying you can not have a pension,, just dont expect us to pay for it for you

Touchstone. As you say all the job sections you quote have pensions topped up by me a tax payer, private sector pensions are paid for from profits made from producing things, they are also taxed so you can enjoy more pension. as for the sack them all means just the selfish few who are voting for the strike. by the way have you seen what is happening all around Europe who is going to subsidize you when industry shuts down.

They are lucky they can go on strike. Some of those affected by the pension changes can't!

I don't think it will make a blind bit of difference, but then I suppose it's better to try than just roll over and be screwed. I wonder if the pension changes affect the likes of MP's

I'm also taxed. Every month I pay Income Tax and National Insurance. Also, I spend money in the private sector almost every day. My spending helps generate profits and revenue for those companies so they can pay their own workers.

As I said before, if you're unhappy with your own conditions, join a Union, get organised and fight for better pay and pensions. If you do, you'll have my support. It's a disgrace that so many profitable companies have closed their pension schemes. Everybody, public and private sector workers deserve decent conditions, pensions and pay.