Tomorrow in the Dáil, I’m introducing the Retired Workers’ Rights bill from People Before Profit, to force bosses to respect and negotiate with retired workers and their campaigning organisations. Pensions, and pension rights for workers have taken a huge hit since the economic crash; and they’re still being undermined. It has to stop. Please view and share this video – it explains why support for the bill is important for ALL workers.

 

RETIRED WORKERS ARE NOT RETIRED VOTERS!. Make sure your local TD knows this and does not block the PBP Bill for Retired Workers Rights next Wednesday (Its called “Amendment to the Industrial Relations Act Retired Workers Bill”). Pensions, and pension rights for future workers, as well as currently retired workers, have taken a huge hit since the economic crash; and they’re still being undermined. It has to stop. Please view and share this video – it explains why support for the bill is important for ALL workers.

NOTHING ABOUT US, WITHOUT US. Once retired, workers have no say is what happens with their pensions. Pensions rights can be attacked and undermined in the WRC (Workers Relations Commission), and those who depend on them for their livelihoods can be left powerless. Today I proposed a Bill that would give retired workers rights to have a say in what happens to their pensions, which are in fact deferred wages. Every worker today, could be affected by this In the future

We need to be vigilant, because pensions are coming under attack – not the the gold-plated €100k plus that senior ‘public servants’ enjoy, but ordinary people’s pensions. Let’s be clear – PENSIONS ARE OUR RIGHT, and trying to dodge paying them, or making us work longer, is not going to wash. Pensions are deferred wages that workers have earned. Our national pension pot was robbed of €20 Billion to bail out banks. Now the government wants a ‘commission’ to review pensions. Not needed. Simply increase the bosses contribution to PRSI (one of the lowest in Europe). And why not tax the banks and the super-rich, there’s more of them than ever and they’re richer than ever too! The ‘Grey vote’ has clout, and groups like Pensioners for Equality will be keeping a close eye.

NO INCREASE FOR THE OAPs. The suggestion is we can’t afford it because of the outlay on Covid payments to people. Well here’s another suggestion – COVID SOLIDARITY TAX on the filthy rich tech and pharma companies that are making €Billions here and paying pennies in tax. That could look after the OAPs and a lot more besides!

Pensions are our right, and trying to dodge paying them, or making us work longer, is not going to wash. Pensions are deferred wages that workers have earned. Our national pension pot was robbed of €20 Billion to bail out banks. Now the government wants a ‘commission’ to review pensions. Not needed. Simply increase the bosses contribution to PRSI (one of the lowest in Europe). And why not tax the banks and the super-rich, there’s more of them than ever and they’re richer than ever too! The ‘Grey vote’ has clout, and groups like @Pensionsers for Equality will be keeping a close eye.

We all heard about GOLD-PLATED PENSIONS. The impression given was that public service employees were being too well ‘looked after’. The truth is that only very senior civil and public servants (and politicians) got fat pensions – the remainder of nurses, teachers, gardai, defence force personnel, etc etc have very modest pensions and these are being undermined. The pensioners want access to the industrial relations mechanisms as is their due. I spoke to this yesterday in the Dáil.