Thread by @EvangelosPsych

A short 🧵on my feelings due to my pension being slashed by almost half by @USSEmployers @UniversitiesUK. It's an act of violence. The cuts will have an impact like no other seen before. We pay huge sums of our salary to a scheme whose managers act against us. #UCUstrikes

The valuation, which was based on an outlier timepoint, was obviously flawed as many experts have shown. And yet, instead of reconsidering, they pushed forward. Despite an alternative proposal by @ucu described by many as viable.

To me thid move doesn't show ignorance, it shows intention. And this is the worst part. They are genuinely trying to destroy the sector and staff's morale.

I like my job. I like research, I love mentoring, in general I think I'm quite good at it. Now, on top of worsening living conditions, inflation, rising costs in food and housing, insecurity, I am expected to work until 2059 knowing that I'll get half a pension.

With the current measures. Because who tf knows how they'll try to slash it even more by 2059. I am expected to be competitive in a very demanding sector that pushes people to burnout. To publish papers, get grants, do excellent teaching and so on. Why should I do that?

Where should I find the motivation to do that? Yes, I am lucky enough to be based in a very supportive department. However, what about upper management? All these empty words about supporting staff to excel and caring about their health and wellbeing. I can't see any of that.

A core predictor of productivity and wellbeing is organizational justice and identifying with one's institution. Our VC, together with all others, just voted for these measures. I am 30 and my VC voted to slash my pension by 46%. Without questioning the whys and hows.

Without considering the impact that this decision would have on staff's morale. How should I keep being motivated knowing that upper management voted to ruin the comfort of the final years of my life when I'll be most vulnerable? Using nonsense data?!

I am angry, I am enraged. This is scandalous. They don't care about us, they act against us. For them our lives and money are just a game, we're pawns on the market. If they cared they'd reconsider. Only by paralyzing the sector we have a chance at taking back our dignity

Because this is about our dignity. I don't work for fun, I don't work because I have nothing better to do. Yes I love my job but won't die for it. And I won't let some random upper managers destroy my livelihood cause for them it's just a game. There's still a long way to go.

I am engared. My colleagues are furious. I have no idea where this will end, but it's the first time I am sensing such a widespread sense of rage among us. This was not a scheme reform, this was pure violence against us.

We don't need more staff wellbeing seminars and yoga sessions. We want our pensions back. And our salaries to match inflation.