Supporters say why they back '68 is too late' campaign

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PCS Comment

6 August 2012

PCS helped to launch the '68 is too late' campaign to fight UK government plans to increase the state pension age to 68 - and to make public sector workers retire at the same age.

People who have signed up as supporters on the website at 68istoolate.org.uk were asked why they backed the campaign.

A female civil servant from Scotland said: “I'm 54 and will now have to work till 66. Despite this, after a recent unsuccessful application for a promotion I was told in a feedback session not to bother about career development as I was too old.”

A 47-year-old male prison officer from the midlands in England said: “I face confrontation every day with prisoners that have robbed, assaulted people, burgled, raped and murdered. I face the ultimate sacrifice of death on a day-to-day basis. To expect me to have to face violent confrontations until I am 68 is outrageous. Would you want to do it?”

A bus driver from Wakefield said: “Colleagues at my depot who are over 65 work part-time. I don't think it will be safe to force people to keep driving buses full time until they are 68.”

A 42-year-old teacher and mother-of-three from Shropshire said: “Family is an important infrastructure for society and I always envisaged being able to help my kids with child care. I resent the lack of choice for both me and my family.”

Share your story with the ’68 is too late’ campaign.

You can also email prime minister David Cameron from the campaign website to tell him ’68 is toolate’.

Read campaign blog spots.

Public and Commercial Services Union