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Extract from
?WHAT ABOUT THE
PENSIONERS??
dated 1973
by Jack Jones, General
Secretary, Transport & General Workers' Union
I make no
apology for putting a lot of facts, figures, and diagrams in this
pamphlet. The Government?and indeed the whole community? has got to
understand that the case for a better deal for the aged is based on hard
facts, and not just sentiment.
But all of us
have to remember that it is people we are talking about, not mere
statistics. The facts are on the side of the pensioners, but time is
not.
All the
statistical argument comes down to this simple point; pensioners not
only deserve more. they need it, and they need it urgently.
The
Government's October increases cannot be regarded as adequate to prevent
another winter of prolonged misery for our pensioners.
The T.G.W.U.
believes that the nation as a whole?and particularly the more wealthy
sections?have got to accept that the cash must be found to give a fresh
start for the pensioners of today, and that future generations of
pensioners (and that means all of us) must never again be treated as
badly as the aged have in the past.
If some people
are able to enjoy better living standards today, it is in large part due
to the work and sacrifices of the pensioners. They must be guaranteed
not just enough to 'get by' on, but enough to enjoy life with.
Pensioners must have not only the right to live, but the right to live
well. The demand for a ?10 pension for a single person, and ?16 for a
married couple is a modest enough claim but it would represent an
enormous step forward for millions of pensioners. That is why the
pensioners organisations and the trade unions have been pressing this
demand.
Extract from ?WHAT ABOUT THE
PENSIONERS??
dated 1973
THE WAY FORWARD FOR PENSIONERS
Over nearly
three years, the TGWU has been in the forefront of the pensioners'
campaign. Hundreds of thousands of special publications have been
printed, and distributed all over the country.
TGWU
contingents have formed the heart of almost every march and
demonstration on behalf of the pensioners. Substantial sums have been
donated to the pensioners organisations, workers in at least one part of
the country (on TGWU initiative) are having money deducted from their
wages regularly to go to aid the pensioners campaign.
A most welcome
feature has been the formation of TGWU retired members associations all
over the country, very active in their own right and acting as an
invaluable liaison with the pensioners organisations.
The question
of higher pensions has been brought in from the political cold. and
brought to the centre of affairs. The Annual review of pensions, and a
small lump sum payment has been won. But this is only a very modest
start. The campaign must be taken into the factories and homes of
Britain, and it must be made a massive national demand that no
Government can withstand.
The policy
will mean sacrifices, but there can be no better cause than that of the
pensioners and widows who need our help.
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History
of Pensions 
