LOW PAID support staff at Bangor University are protesting against plans to downgrade their pensions.

A ‘hands off our pensions rally' will be held at 12pm, outside the Main Arts building, on College Road, on Tuesday, May 7.

According to their union, low paid support workers are "incensed" by their employer’s pension proposals.

The UNISON union has organised the rally to coincide with a Bangor University executive meeting to decide whether to cut pension benefits by up to 12 per cent for clerical workers; I.T. staff; lab workers; cleaners; caterers; security staff and more.

The pensions of Bangor’s higher paid staff, such as lecturers and executive managers, will not be affected.

The staff trade unions have provided the University with a viable alternative, which allows them to save costs while protecting members’ pensions but pension trustees have ruled this out.

Wendy Allison, UNISON Cymru Wales regional organiser said: "Bangor support staff are lower paid and already have pretty meagre pensions.

"The University is threatening to make them poorer in retirement whilst protecting the pensions of higher paid staff.

"The discrimination is horrible. All the support staff want is to receive the same respect as their academic and management colleagues. They are fed up of being treated like second class employees.

“Staff have promised to resist the changes. They will be making plain their anger with a loud and colourful demonstration and we’d like Bangor students to join our call for fair pensions for all.”

UNISON is now calling for the trustees to look again at the unions’ proposals rather than attack the pensions of hundreds of "dedicated" University employees.”

A Bangor University spokesperson saidL “Given the increases in costs of pension provision and longer life-expectancies, the University has recently been consulting on changes to its local pension scheme (BUPAS).

"The University has been open to alternative suggestions about how the affordability gap can be addressed, and has been pleased that to see staff engaging with the consultation process.

"A decision is expected next week, and we are hopeful that a solution can be found that will be welcomed by staff, the pension scheme trustees, and the university.”