Pension threats prompt strike action at Newcastle school

Members of NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union at Dame Allan’s Schools in Fenham are taking the first of six planned days of strike action tomorrow over attempts to downgrade their pensions.
 
Teachers are facing the forcible withdrawal of their pensions from the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) to an inferior Defined Contribution (DC) scheme, which will pay out less in retirement. Teachers have been told that if they do not accept the transfer of their pensions, they will be dismissed from their jobs and reengaged on new contracts which include the DC pension arrangements.
 
We do not accept that there is any financial necessity for the school to undermine teachers’ financial security in this way.
 
Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT General Secretary, said:
 
“Pensions are in effect deferred salary and so these proposals amount to a pay cut and reduced financial security in retirement for these dedicated and hardworking teachers.