Dundee University staff strike over pension dispute
According to Unite the union the proposed changes could see pension cuts of up to 50% for workers on the lowest pay grades.
Members of Unite the union, Unison and UCU have taken strike action over Dundee University's proposed changes to staff pensions.
The action began with a rally today in Dundee's City Square, where demonstrators showed their anger with banners and signs.
Speakers from unions and Dundee University staff gave speeches and stressed their dissatisfaction.
The action comes as a response to a consultation process over proposed changes to the pension scheme the University, which began in March. The University want to replace their existing 'Defined Benefit Scheme' with a 'Defined Contribution Scheme'. Unite the union say this will cause those on lower pay grades (i.e., grades one-six) to directly lose out in retirement.
In contrast, Unite say those in the highest pay grades (i.e., grades seven and above) will have their pensions protected through the existing UK wide 'Superannuation Scheme', which has a 'Defined Benefits' element.
Unite project that the pension changes could lead to up to a 50% cut in pension income for those on lowest paid grades. The trade union also estimates that around 70% of its members in the existing 'Superannuation Scheme' are female.
The trade union have asked for other pension options to be considered, including the valuation of pensions to be re-calculated. The original calculation was conducted at the beginning of the pandemic and Unite claim this was done at a time which supported the University's worst-case scenario projections.
The University have so far refused to conduct a recalculation, however, due to pressure from trade unions they have extended the consultation period to November 14th.
In a statement, Professor Iain Gillespie, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University, said: "We remain in a consultation period on the proposed changes to the University of Dundee Superannuation Scheme, which was extended at the unions’ request, and is still scheduled to run to 14 November. We remain very much keen and open to discussion with the campus unions on proposals for the scheme and we have called for them to return to negotiation.
"The pension scheme has a significant deficit according to the latest valuation, at around £55million, and remains high risk and unaffordable, which is why we are proposing changes. We have already committed to putting an extra £40million into the scheme over the next ten years to help address the deficit
"We hope a resolution can be agreed to both offer strong pension benefits to our staff and remove the risk of any disruption to students.
"The campus remains open and the majority of University staff are working, with only limited disruption of some services."
Emma Beatt, the culture and projects officer at the University is one of the staff who would be directly affected by the changes to the pension scheme. She said: "I've been at the University for four and half years, I'm in my mid 40s and after 25 years of paying into a pension I was expecting to retire on about £11,000 per year.
"Which is not great but it is something. With this proposal that they're (Dundee University) proposing and changing from a Defined Benefit to a Defined Contribution, I'll be lucky if I see £6,600 a year.
"It is totally immoral, it's an absolute scandal, for one of the employers in Dundee that are meant to be a decent employer, to treat their staff like that. It's a two tiered system and it's an absolute disgrace."
She added: "nobody want's to come out on strike. I believe in strikes, I don't feel comfortable about doing it but there is nothing left. They will not consult on any of the offers from the unions so we've had no choice. I think people are angry but they are also really sad."
