Thank you to those of you who have attended the UNISON drop ins to discuss your concerns about the University proposals to amend the Retirement Benefits Plan. We’d like to give you an update on progress so far and ask you to give us your views so we can better influence the University’s proposals.
- UNISON have sent the detailed financial information to our national office for analysis.
- UNISON have held 3 drops ins for our members so far and received some really useful questions and feedback.
- UNISON have met with UCU and Unite to discuss our response and are seeking a Joint Union meeting with the University.
- UNISON have written to the University today asking for more information, an extension to the consultation, summarising a number of the questions already raised and requesting a Joint Trade Union meeting once the information is received.
We also wanted to outline our main concerns about the proposals.
Our members have fed back that the information received is not clear and they need more information from the employer.
UNISON’s position:
- Extend the consultation: 2 months is unreasonable
- Seek to protect Final Salary Benefits
- Retain current retirement age(s)
UNISON’s core response to employers proposals:
- Reject 1/60 accrual rate. If University wants to move to Career Average there should be an improved accrual rate to offset the change.
- Reject breaking the earnings link. The proposal is to cap inflation on past benefits (before 31st July 2021) at 2.5% this needs to stay linked to Final Salary
- Reject the 2.5% interest cap on future benefits (after 1st August 2021). This is too low.
- Reject the proposed retirement age. This will mean you have to work longer or have 2 pension release dates.
Please fill our survey here; https://forms.office.com/r/TymF6PqAS6
YOUR HELP NEEDED:
WE ARE ASKING ALL UNISON MEMBERS TO EMAIL RBP.CONSULTATION@NEWCASTLE.AC.UK AND CC: UNISON@NEWCASTLE.AC.UK requesting the University extend the consultation.
Talk to us:
Next UNISON drop in: Wed 28th 12-1
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join on your computer or mobile app
Click here to join the meeting
In-Person Pension Consultation: TBC
We know that some of our members do not have easy access to computers or smart devices to take part in the online discussions going on around these changes. We have requested that the university hold an in-person forum, within the social distancing restrictions that we must abide by, for members who have not had a chance to join in on the consultation to have their say.
This proposal has been left with the Head of Health and Safety to investigate the Risk Assessment of this event. We expect this to go ahead, as the university have held in person consultations during the pandemic with no legal or health implications, and the branch and the university will update you when we have further news.
Look out for our next update next week!
Newcastle Univeristy Unison Branch