Last night I went to the launch of the TUC online network of “Pension Champions” at Congress House. The aim is to train and support volunteers to deliver advice and information on pensions to their workplace colleagues. They will be supported by a new website and on-line 
“pension doctor”. This will help build up someone’s pensions profile and assit them to decide what they need to do to increase their pensions. This is potentially exciting stuff and even “cutting edge” (in trade union terms). Minister of State for Pensions, James Parnell, (Alan Johnson Supporter!) and Natascha Engel MP (not yet a supporter of Alan but gave an excellent speech) congratulated the TUC on this initiative.
On the way in I had a chat with trade union demonstrators handing out leaflets on behalf of members of failed pensions schemes. Due to their campaigning pressure they now have got up to 80% of their pensions restored, but of course, they want what they were promised. James said that he was trying to see what could be done. I think one of the TUC aims is to get members involved and aware of their schemes to prevent future mismanagement. The real villains of course are the Tories for failing to properly regulate and protect people from rogue companies. Lets not also forget the financial consultants who creamed off massive fees from robber pension funds for decades in return for supporting their under funding and reckless investment policies.
UNISON is pursuing a complimentary programme through its Capital Stewardship forum. However, since we have funded pension schemes (such as the local government pension scheme) the forum is more concerned with ownership and governance issues (see The New Capitalists).
I appreciate that some may people may be surprised that the Pension Champion training is currently open to non trade union members. However, we have got to think out of the box. Pensions are a potential recruitment and organising opportunity. Especially with the introduction of Personal Pension Accounts. Which will be compulsory on all companies including small businesses (with the inevitable individual “opt out”)? Remember my report on the SERTUC conference on Saturday which reported that only 35% of British workers were subject to collective agreements? Think about it.
(Picture Left of UNISON “Pension Champion” Michael Gribben from London Ambulance Service, who was allowed to “stand down” for an hour to attend this launch, with James and Glyn Jenkins, UNISON National Pensions officer; Natascha Engel and Brendan Barber at back)
“pension doctor”. This will help build up someone’s pensions profile and assit them to decide what they need to do to increase their pensions. This is potentially exciting stuff and even “cutting edge” (in trade union terms). Minister of State for Pensions, James Parnell, (Alan Johnson Supporter!) and Natascha Engel MP (not yet a supporter of Alan but gave an excellent speech) congratulated the TUC on this initiative.On the way in I had a chat with trade union demonstrators handing out leaflets on behalf of members of failed pensions schemes. Due to their campaigning pressure they now have got up to 80% of their pensions restored, but of course, they want what they were promised. James said that he was trying to see what could be done. I think one of the TUC aims is to get members involved and aware of their schemes to prevent future mismanagement. The real villains of course are the Tories for failing to properly regulate and protect people from rogue companies. Lets not also forget the financial consultants who creamed off massive fees from robber pension funds for decades in return for supporting their under funding and reckless investment policies.
UNISON is pursuing a complimentary programme through its Capital Stewardship forum. However, since we have funded pension schemes (such as the local government pension scheme) the forum is more concerned with ownership and governance issues (see The New Capitalists).
I appreciate that some may people may be surprised that the Pension Champion training is currently open to non trade union members. However, we have got to think out of the box. Pensions are a potential recruitment and organising opportunity. Especially with the introduction of Personal Pension Accounts. Which will be compulsory on all companies including small businesses (with the inevitable individual “opt out”)? Remember my report on the SERTUC conference on Saturday which reported that only 35% of British workers were subject to collective agreements? Think about it.
(Picture Left of UNISON “Pension Champion” Michael Gribben from London Ambulance Service, who was allowed to “stand down” for an hour to attend this launch, with James and Glyn Jenkins, UNISON National Pensions officer; Natascha Engel and Brendan Barber at back)
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