Is it right that public sector workers suffer for government mistakes?

No matter how the government and various political parties attempt to wrap up the issue of public-sector pensions there is no doubt that public sector workers will suffer one way or another because of decisions made by previous governments. While it is easy to place all of the blame at the doorstep of the Labour Party the truth is that previous governments also played their part. But is it right that public sector workers need to suffer because of government decisions in the past?

It seems blatantly unfair that public sector workers, who were promised a specific remuneration package when they signed up, are likely to see these particular pension arrangements withdrawn over the next few years. At best they can expect a small increase in contributions and a longer working life and at worst they are likely to see their final pensions calculated using average earnings throughout their career. Either way, public sector workers are set to pay the price for decisions taken in the past.

Even though the unions most definitely have an agenda against the Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition government the truth is they need to protect their members even if in the short term they could potentially bring the UK to a standstill.