For a lot of people on low salaries there is but one
compensation to be had,
and that is a reasonable pension,
or at least one which does not mean living in dire poverty
after retirement.
One of the consequences of low pay is never being able to
own ones own property,
and so having to pay rent until the day one dies.
Work in libraries and you will both earn far less that an
average salary,
and never be able to own the place you live in.
Now both the UK government,
and many financial bodies are claiming that all public sector
workers are receiving pensions which are
‘Too generous’.
Not a word do they say about how state pensions are so low
that they are below the poverty line.
Not a word about increasing the level of public worker
pensions to that which is enjoyed by finance workers.
Not a word about giving ‘key worker’ status to all low paid
library workers.
Not a word upon the need to increase the level of state
pensions.
The self contradictions which result from all of the above
facts needs to be faced up to.
The choice is obvious in terms of preventing poverty in
retirement.
Either: –
– Pay library workers more in order that we may be able to
both purchase their own properties,
and save enough for their old age.
or
– Keep the present public sector pensions at the same levels.
Failure to do so will mean that yet more people will not be
able to undertake working in public libraries,
and we will all suffer as a result!