THIS MEANS THAT THE LOBBY OF THE TUC WILL NOW START AT 3.30pm - BUT IT IS NOW MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER THAT TRADE UNIONISTS COME ALONG TO SHOW THEIR OPPOSITION TO ANY CAVE-IN ON PENSIONS.
This morning, the BBC has withdrawn a quote from its website claiming that Christine Blower had said that the NUT was 'close to a deal'. This is all part of the game-playing designed to isolate unions - including the NUT - who are standing firm against the acceptance of an unacceptable deal.
Christine has issued a statement saying that "Some colleagues may have seen a report on the BBC website by Norman Smith which quotes me as saying that ‘a deal is close with the Government on teachers’ pensions’. In fact, on entering the talks I said teachers cannot work longer, pay more and get less - I made no such claim on a potential resolution"
Politicians have also been lying about what is actually on offer. As the NASUWT correctly states in an email sent to their members:
"The discussions have been inhibited from making real progress due to the Government's prevarication, delay in providing key information and game playing ... In the last few weeks, the Government has confirmed its intention to make further announcements on reforms to public sector pension schemes before Parliament rises on Tuesday 20 December. The timing of this announcement has not been discussed with the trade unions. As the imposed deadline for completion draws near, a deadline that is completely unnecessary given that scheme changes will not take effect until 2015, the Coalition has continued to impose further changes that will materially affect the outcome of these discussions, including the arbitrary decisions to take off the table the option of a final salary scheme for teachers and the decision to remove flexibility in relation to linking the NPA to the SPA.
This raises serious questions about the Coalition Government's commitment to genuine negotiations".
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