October 2003
Total opposition to Government plans to raise teachers' normal retirement age from 60 to 65 was declared on 13 October by the teachers' organisations throughout the UK. The teachers' representatives made clear their determined opposition at the 13 October meeting of the Teachers' Superannuation Working Party, involving the teachers' organisations, the employers and the Government.
The NUT's call for a campaign of opposition was supported fully by the other teachers' organisations and meetings will be held shortly to consider how the campaign is to be taken forward. The NUT will continue to work with the TUC and other public service unions on a wider sustained campaign of opposition to any increase in the normal retirement age. This includes consideration of a national day of action, uniting public and private sector unions, in the pursuit of much improved state pension provision and opposition to any worsening of occupational pension provision generally.
General Secretary, Doug McAvoy, said: "The NUT welcomes the support of the other teachers' organisations for a united campaign of opposition to the Government's proposals to raise the normal retirement age, which will do nothing to recruit, retain and motivate teachers."