Pensions might seem boring - but we all need something to live off in our old age. We all want to have some time free from work before we die. Pensions make this possible, and that is why public sector workers are angry at proposals to raise the age at which they can claim a full pension to 65 years.

Pensions are also a form of defered wages, and any cut in them is equivalent to a pay cut.

Pensioner activits joined the protest to raise the issue of the appalling state of the state which is over £100 a week less than the official poverty line of £263/week.
over 2.4 million pensioners are below the officialpoverty line. Not the way to end life of hard work.

Protesters issued a call for support for the strikes in March to defend the local government and civil service (benefit workers etc) pension schemes. the averge pension for local government worker is £3,500 a year - so many have to claim means tested benefits as it stands.

raising the normal retirement age means people will pay more, work longer and consequently receive less. Working longer also reduces a person's life expectancy so it isn't just money the government wants to take frompublic sector workers.

Pensioners called on workers to exercise their industrial muscle to tackle poverty pensions. some groups, like halth workers, face a similar attack in a years time, but recognise the need for joint action now and UNiSON members ar seeking to be ballotted for strike alongsidw local government and civil service workers.

The March 23 strikes will hopefully see over 1 million workers outfor the day, with further strikes from the NUT in April, hoepfully with simultaneous strikes from UNISON, PCS, FBU and more.

 http://www.odtuc.org.uk/ for up to date campaign info for Oxford.