WE, the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), represent the majority of teachers in Kirklees and wanted to share with you the reasons why we are taking industrial action on our pensions on June 30.
Strike action is not a move that any teacher or head teacher takes lightly. Educating our pupils is the most important aspect of our working life.
We take action to protect the quality of education in Kirklees because if the Government’s proposals go through teachers will drop out of the pension scheme, potentially making it unviable.
Teaching will become a less attractive profession and it will ultimately be pupils who suffer.
We realise that as teachers we are not the only people who are facing huge threats to our pensions and jobs. We are also aware that many workers in the private sector do not have adequate pension provision and this is an issue the Government needs to address.
But the teachers’ scheme has been well managed over the years and recently changes were made to take into account the ageing population and to enable costs to reduce over the next 50 years. These reforms are working well.
We need decent pensions for all. Cutting public sector pensions will just make more pensioners poorer and put the cost of supporting them on to the State and taxpayers.
We are frustrated that after months of talks with ministers, the Government looks determined to go ahead with its proposals to make us pay more, work longer and get less for our pensions.
While we sincerely regret having to take this action and any inconvenience caused to parents, pupils and employers, we hope you understand why, as a last resort, we are taking action on June 30.
J Burdon
A busy ATL member
Watching the pennies
WATCHING Daily Politics, June 17, the discussion was the proposed teachers’ strike on pensions and contributions and raising the retirement age.
George Osborne was on screen with four others. Three of them, including George Osborne, said ‘it was good to live longer’.
But since this coalition came into power all I have heard is: “The elderly are living too long and are a drain on the health service.’’ Disgraceful.
So much money is given to immigrants and other countries and the cost of (arguably three) wars.
So that is all right then? Charity should begin at home.
m medrek
Bradley
No consultation
HOW can the council just vote through a decision to charge certain areas £30 for permit parking without talking to the public first?
Just what do we pay council tax and road fund tax for? It’s pathetic to say it’s only around Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, the town centre and shops.
Every part of the Kirklees area has shops, so by their own admission permits will come into force there.
This the start of bringing in ‘charges’ anywhere the council chooses. And what a surprise the Tory and Lib Dems backed the plan. If there’s talk of money, count them in.
They reckon the £30 is £22 for staff time, software and postage, then £8 for maintaining lines and signs in the permit zones.
Why don’t they go the whole hog and back-date permit payment for those that have been issued in the past? After all, they must have cost something too – you don’t get them for free, do you?
Just how many more money-grabbing ideas are these people who are supposed to be serving the people of Kirklees going to dream up?
If it’s not Cameron and his clowns taking money out of our pockets, it’s the lackeys who hang on to their coat-tails. At the moment I don’t live in any of the areas that are being robbed by the council, but I dare say it will work its way here.
K Adams
Huddersfield
Tories at it again
TORY policy strikes again – hit those who cannot afford a house with a drive. It will save a few bob in tax for those who can!
Allen Jenkinson
Milnsbridge
Parking privilege
I’D like to comment on the article ‘Residents’ fury at £30 street parking charge’, which appeared in the Examiner on June 23.
The Residential Permit Parking scheme was brought in so people who live in areas that attract a high demand for parking could park their car in front of their own property.
Up to now it has been totally funded by the generosity of Kirklees council taxpayers, but given the financial squeeze, things have to change and £30 per year is a nominal amount to guarantee hassle-free parking outside your own home.
Are permit holders so naive that they think £30 actually covers the cost of administering and enforcing the scheme? This is a minimal contribution to show willing.
If residents are unwilling to step up and make a token contribution they obviously don’t value the benefits of maintaining the scheme, therefore why should the rest of us who are also paying for it? Stop moaning. The scheme is a privilege, not a right, or council taxpayers like me might start asking if the money spent could be put to better use for more appreciative residents.
Mrs S Broadhead
Honley
May be a good day
IAN Brooke makes a good point about the May Day holiday (Mailbag, June 21). Apart from, maybe, Australia and USA (who have their own Labor Day dates) the rest of the world is at one with a May 1 Workers’ Day.
The fact that this year, because of an ill-timed Royal wedding, a late Easter and the ‘false’ spring bank holiday in lieu of Whitsun, there has been a rather stupid build-up of public holidays.
However, it’s all very well Ian making his complaints when he didn’t put forward any sensible alternatives. Even Trafalgar Day has connotations as a bad day, according to Ian.
Suggestions invited.
GB
Shepley
Thanks to chairman
DEAN Hoyle, thank you for donating tickets to Paddock Junior Nursery and Infant School to go see the recent Huddersfield v Peterborough League One play-off final at Old Trafford.
We waited for Huddersfield Town to score but it just didn’t happen. We was so gutted, everyone was, and it was sad that they lost but anyway we enjoyed this great experience.
We would like to thank you for this fantastic day out.
pupils of paddock school
Paddock
Hard done by
I FEEL sorry for ‘pushchair daddy’ (Mailbag, June 23). I had three children under four years old – all now in their 40s – and I travelled from Meltham to Kirkburton on two buses every week to see my parents with pushchair in tow.
Today’s parents don’t know they are born when they can push on and off buses.
Maybe they should take lessons from mum or grandma.
Mrs S J Holroyd
Meltham
Digital switchover
FURTHER to the article about digital TV switchover which appeared in the Examiner on June 17 and specifically John Halstead’s comments on behalf of Broadbent’s electrical shop, I’d like to clarify for your readers that all relay transmitters served by the Emley Moor main transmitter will be converted to digital in September.
Viewers who receive their signals from a relay will then have access to Freeview channels for the first time.
Switchover does happen in two stages. BBC Two analogue will be turned off on September 7 and replaced by higher power BBC digital signals at all transmitters, improving reach and reception.
The remaining analogue channels will be switched off two weeks later on September 21, and more digital channels will become available from relays.
Freeview, BT Vision and TopUp TV viewers will need to re-tune their digital equipment at each stage.
Viewers who need help or advice with re-tuning their digital equipment can call the Digital UK advice line on 08456 50 50 50 or visit digitaluk.co.uk/retuning
John Askew
Regional Manager, digitaluk, Leeds
What, no booze?
BLIMEY! I’d better get more booze down me neck. I’ve just heard the news that by the time I’m 65 I’ll be allowed only five pints a week. Blasted nanny state!
MIKE MADDEN
HONLEY
