“lilwead
I currently work in the public sector and have experience of both public and private, my decision was based on a number of things, but getting a high salary wasn''t key. I could have taken a job in the private sector with as much leave, less responsibility and a lot more money. I chose the job I have because it is challenging and rewarding with (relative) job security and a pension when I retired. I am paid below the national average in spite of having extensive finance and IT skills and handle £millions of public funds but am content because a sacrifice today will pay dividends later. Take away the later benefit and I will expect less of a sacrifice today.
The only reason that the public sector pension is being criticised now is because the wonderful private sector, aided and abetted by the Tories, have messed theirs up”

“@roseiljp

I agree. Unfortunately it is symptomatic of a low wage economy. In other parts of the UK/world people don't moan they get on with improving themselves so they can get that extra money. If these people are fed up with their wages they can always go and live somehere else but don't ever denigrate people who may earn more than you

How many of these people go to the doctors and complain that they're on £100K + p.a?”

“Everything settles at the lowest common denominator so greedy employers pay crummy wages and don't provide decent pension arrangements, now that is held up as an example of how public sector workers 'have it good' just because they get a fairly decent wage and pension. Instead of knocking the public sector why not improve the lot of workers in the private sector to match the public sector instead of the other way around? Fed up with readers comments , having a go at teachers is low, they do a great job in unenviable circumstances. They shouldn't be taken for granted. Behind you all the way for tomorrow.”

“I think the teachers should get the pension that they originally signed up for. It is outrageous that the government should alter this. Most teachers are in school by 7.30am and most do not go home until at least 6.30pm putting in extra time with sports clubs, revisions clubs and activites for the students, meeting parents and writing reports to get the support for children who have learning difficulties,very different to what the public think. They do not work from 9am to 3pm, that is a load of rubbish. This work also continues at home when they have to mark books, set homework and plan lessons. They not only have to educate these children but also babysit and parent some aggressive, immature, brats that some parents cannot be bothered with. So what, that a parent has to take a day off work, these children are after all the parents responsibility. If parents are so concerned about their child's education then they can use that day to sit down and teach them. No, I bet very few parents will actually sit down with their child on that day and teach them themselves. So what you have to pay for child care, that just proves some parents send their children to school just to save on child care costs, TEACHERS ARE EDUCATORS NOT BABYSITTERS OR A PARENT OF YOUR CHILD!!! TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, if you think you can do a teachers job try it and then you will wake up in the real world. A teacher does not only have one child to teach and control the behaviour and welfare but 25-30 children all at once. Why do you think there is a shortage of teachers in this country, it is because the job is so stressful and underpaid and that parents rely on teachers not only to educate but parent the brats they teach with little or no support from the parents or government.. You try it ..... NO, then you have no right to comment or make a judgement.”

“@SKoM
I always understood that public sector employees could request to retire at 50-55. I would need to recheck my facts, obviously, as you imply I'm wrong. That aside, it is only fair that we all have the same pension rights, after working for the same period of time...is that such a bad thing to aim for? I couldn't afford a final salary pension scheme, even if it was at all possible to get one in the private sector. I read about a lot of public sector employees saying they deserve to either retire early or get a final salary pension, why? do I and my colleagues deserve any less than you? We work as long and hard as you do and our jobs are just as stressful as yours. I'm lucky, my kids are now grown up, although one had to move away from Plymouth to find work and the other is still unemployed, so I don't have to worry about childcare arrangements. The people who are being hit by tomorrow's day of action, are the ones who can least afford it.”

“Jokers , teachers get loads of hols and 9 - 3 working week....come on , if the countries broke its broke deal with it and stop moaning (by the way we have to sort child care for Thursday and my son still got homework) !!!”

“by lilwead
"the public sector employees reach their original retirement age of 50-55" In which world is that? Local Government retirement age is currently 65 - ring any bells? I'll get my private company pension at 60 and my local authority one (probably) at 66. Plus, I currently only get 4 weeks annual leave. Try a proper comic instead of the comic press.”

“Teachers chose to do that profession, country has no dosh, all having to feel the squeeze, peeps working on minimum wage with no pension provision, will have to take time off work if allowed to ensure highly skilled and relatively well paid the right to strike to have a better pension, even though the fraternity of the unions is so great that new arrivals in the sector are not getting the same pension outcome, though the same work is being done.
I don't agree that they are striking, but I do respect the right to remove labour. Wonder what will happen with the minimum of 19 million a year we tax payers that are paid to the Union boss's.”

“Oh, come on guys - a bit of compassion please. Not only is RussellJock bitter, ill-informed and unemployed, he's an insomniac too. Quite a hand to be dealt. Give him a break.”

“@Mike5charsmin

The site is full of RussellJacks so don't rise to their so-called "bait".

It is the simplistic nature of what they say that should make you feel sorry for them instead.”