Motion detail – Congress motions

Motion

Motion text: Congress affirms the basic trade union principles that pensions are deferred salary and that we support universal benefits. We believe that future generations should have pensions and rights in retirement, at least as good as those of the present generation.
UCU will engage in a programme of education and campaigning to increase awareness among working members of pension entitlement and how to claim pensions. UCU commits to actively defend pensions of existing retired members.
With regard to the forthcoming Pension Schemes Act, we call for clear obligations to be placed on employers to create and maintain full records of all employees' pension contributions.
Congress calls on UCU to:
1. stay vigilant in protecting state, occupational and personal pensions
2. recognise that members are in various different pension schemes, indeed some individuals may be in several schemes; and to
3. hold an annual Pensions Seminar, open to all members.
4. that the disproportionate pension deprivation experienced by women and casualised workers is recognised, and that the union allocates time and resources to organise, campaign and bargain for pension justice for these members.
Congress supports the NEC campaigning for:
a. an end to this Government's freeze on tax thresholds
b. an overall rate increase in state pensions to lift all pensioners out of poverty
c. a continuation to the Triple Lock system, and opposition to any Government proposals to water it down.