The independent student newspaper of the University of Sheffield // www.forgetoday.com
Issue 36 // Friday May 20 2011
Carol Ann Duffy interview Fuse Arts page 4
‘University screwed us over,’ say workers Hundreds of university staff are to strike during the exam period over controversial changes to their pension plans. The decision was passed late Wednesday afternoon despite trade unions claiming the new scheme could slash the pensions of the lowest earning staff by 50 per cent. A crowd of protesters gathered outside Firth Court while councillors and university bosses met inside to decide on the final plans. The Unite union, which represents more than 400 technical and support staff at the university, will now strike after 60 per cent of their members voted to take action if the changes were passed. Christine Marsden, who works at Corporate Information and Computer Services (CICS), has been contributing to the pensions’ scheme throughout her time at the university. She said: “I have paid into the pension for 33 years. Enough is enough. They don’t give a toss about the staff, only themselves. “They don’t care about the staff, they just pretend. It’s all hollow words. There’s nothing behind it. Half of the Vice-Chancellors get more money then the Prime Minister. They should practice what they preach.” As different pensions schemes are used by different members of staff depending on how much they earn, the change currently being discussed – the loss of a final salary scheme - will only affect lower paid employees. Jane Hobbison, also from CICS, said: “They look after all the top
management, and now they are trying to screw the workers. After all that talk about being Investors in People. They should live up to their promises. “Integrity, equality – we’re going to lose that in Sheffield.” A spokesperson for the University of Sheffield said: “The rising risk and cost of the University’s local pension provision meant that the University’s pension scheme was no longer sustainable and affordable. “In addition, only a small minority of eligible new employees were choosing to opt into the scheme, with almost 50 per cent of staff on grades one to five not in a pension scheme at all. “Yesterday’s outcome is a measured, balanced decision for the long term which takes into account the realities of rising pension costs and risks being faced in all sectors. “The University also believes that the new scheme will be attractive and affordable to all members of staff.” Meetings between the university and the trade unions will be taking place in an attempt to resolve the dispute and to soften the impact on students. Some have raised fears that students could be hit with postponed exam or delayed results. Students’ Union Education Officer, Joe Oliver, said: “We will work with the university and the trade unions to try and minimise any disruption to students. “We’re completely aware that getting exam results quickly is important for all students, especially those in their final year, but I hope there won’t be delays.”
FEATURES
NEWS
LIFESTYLE
Jodi Picoult
Goodwin pool
Five Day Challenge
Featured pages 14 and 15
News page 5
Lifestyle pages 16 and 17
Katie Davies
Interview with awardwinning author
Anger over refunds after months of pool closure
67 years of sentences for Sheffield’s drug dealers Fay Guest
Protestors outside Firth Court while a decision is made on pensions inside.
Could you be a vegan?
A group of 27 people involved in Sheffield’s drug market have been brought to justice at Sheffield Crown Court after an 18-month police investigation. Of the 27 people, 22 of them will be going to prison, with their combined prison sentences totalling 67 years. The group appeared in court on May 18 after being arrested during a series of raids in January and February. They were involved in various drug related crimes around several areas of Sheffield. Superintendent Peter Norman, who ran the investigation, said: “The operation was organised in direct response to the concerns of local communities. “They told us some young people didn’t feel safe as a result of the increasing levels of serious crime being committed by groups in different parts of the city that were clearly related to drug dealing. South Yorkshire Police are not prepared to tolerate drug dealing or the intimidation of young people. “Every young person and every family has the right to feel safe and secure wherever they live and I hope that this operation demonstrates our commitment to making Sheffield a safe and more secure place in which to live, work and visit.” He was very pleased with the sentence given. He said: “It is important that there is a strong deterrent to any young person who may think drug dealing is a quick way to earn money, the reality is very different and we will be watching and ready to take further action.”
Inside Fuse. To Hell and Back Again: Interview with Doug Claybourne, assistant director of Apocalypse Now