Chichester University creates two-tier workforce by shutting down pension access

Without any meaningful consultation, from Wednesday 15 April, Chichester University stopped employing all new staff directly. Instead, it has created a company to employ them through, which prevents access to the industry standard Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS).  

LGPS and TPS are defined benefit schemes; the new scheme is drastically inferior, providing no guaranteed income in retirement. UCU believes it will leave Chichester workers many thousands of pounds per year worse off once they retire. 

The union's members will meet shortly to decide how to fight back against the changes, and it is unable to rule out a strike ballot and potential action. 

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: 'Chichester University could have had meaningful consultation with staff about the financial issues it faces and how to resolve them. Instead, it has created a sham company to weasel out of its commitment to allow staff onto industry standard pensions.  

'Our members will resist this attempt to tear up national agreements, shut down pension access and create a two-tier workforce. They have the national union's full backing.'