While the final outcome remains unclear, their action has had the effect of placing the issue of early retirement firmly on the agenda. Now is the time for the trade union movement to raise the call for shorter working hours, longer holidays and earlier retirement - with of course no loss of pay. The achievement of early retirement and a shorter working week would have many benefits - reducing stress and pressures in the workplace, giving workers more time for leisure activities and creating work for those who are presently written off by the system. When Matt Russell - the legal officer in the Attorney General's office who was responsible for the delay in responding to extradition warrants for child sex abuser Fr. Government ministers can qualify for full pensions after only three years of service.
Teachers have nothing to apologise for in looking for early retirement.
It is an issue which should be taken up by the trade union movement as a whole.