STAFF PENSION CHANGES AT LOUGHBOROUGH SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
Admiral Sir Trevor Soar
Chair of Governors
C/O The Bursary
Burton Walks
Loughborough Leicestershire LE11 2DU
March 17th 2021
Dear Sir Trevor,
Thank you for your response. We are disappointed with the position set out that the Trustees’ position will not change.
As you may be aware, teaching staff are attending a round of individual consultation meetings at present. We understood that our members’ views would be considered at a further meeting of trustees and that the consultation would be meaningful.
We have no hesitation in pressing our member’s case that all alternatives to a forced removal from TPS should continue to be considered.
As you may be aware, staff have raised their willingness to sacrifice a pay award for this year. We understand that an award has been costed at £600,000 per annum.
We understand that a round of redundancies will result in eventual salary savings, we estimate, as £250,000 per annum.
The estimated cost of the increased employer contribution for TPS is said to be circa £800,000 per annum.
We believe that retention of TPS is achievable. The impact of Covid-19 on pupil numbers will fade according to the government.
Our members have frequently referred to the poor timing of this change to their pension provision, taking place during a pandemic that will have a devastating impact on their retirement plans and prospects.
We believe that this is a choice made not out of necessity, but out of a desire to raise income, but which fundamentally undervalues the most important asset the trust has, its staff.
We request that trustees step back from this decision and agree to meet with the unions.
We also take this opportunity to request recognition of our unions for consultation and bargaining purposes. We have shown that we represent the vast majority of your teaching staff and wish to formalise such an arrangement.
We look forward to your further response.
Yours sincerely,
Luke Akhurst,
Secretary
Leicestershire NASUWT