\n UNISON said Solent University must immediately pause plans to \u201cshift support staff to an inferior pension scheme\u201d.\n<\/p>\n
\n Members of the union who work at the Southampton university are said to feel let down by the plans.\n<\/p>\n
\n It comes after vice chancellor Professor James Knowles announced a proposal to outsource university staff to a subsidiary company, Solent University Services Limited.\n<\/p>\n
\n This would force staff out of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) in favour of a scheme with reduced benefits, said UNISON.\n<\/p>\n
\n However, the university has confirmed that staff employed prior to autumn 2018 are currently part of the LGPS, and those who joined after this time have access to a direct contribution pension scheme via a subsidiary.\n<\/p>\n
\n Louise Barter, South East regional organiser for the union, said: \u201cSolent\u2019s loyal staff deserve decent pensions, not cuts to their retirement package. We\u2019ve heard from workers who are frightened and angry they may need to change their retirement plans.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cMany have given decades of service and feel utterly let down by the university\u2019s actions.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cOne member of staff called it a slap in the face for those who\u2019ve stayed loyal through years of redundancies and poor pay rises.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cManagement must pause these damaging plans and work with unions to protect the people who keep this important university running.\u201d\n<\/p>\n