UNISON - Fighting for decent pensions
UNISON activists have voted to give the union's negotiators the green light to continue discussions with government ministers on changes to public sector pensions.
More than 250 key elected national, regional, rank and file activists met at UNISON's headquarters on 10 January to discuss the details of the proposals for the local government and health pension schemes.
The decisions were taken by the six relevant service group executives made up of elected lay members.
They agreed to the frameworks negotiators have developed with government ministers since 30 November.
General secretary Dave Prentis said: "UNISON is a democratic union, and in today's consultation, our elected activists from every service group in the local government pensions scheme endorsed the framework proposals we have negotiated, paving the way for more in depth talks.
"Our health members gave their support to talks on the NHS scheme entering a final phase, due to end in late January. When we have a final offer, we will take it back to members in a full ballot.
"Our action on 30 November got ministers back to the table, since then we have made some real progress. No contribution rises in local government until 2014 will be a real boost for many families that are hard hit by the pay freeze, and struggling to cope. The overwhelming majority of NHS scheme members won’t face contribution rate rises in 2012.
"We will continue to campaign to secure the best possible deal, which our members will then be consulted on. Should negotiations fail, our industrial action ballot, which remains live, gives us the option to take more strike action."
Negotiations on the local government scheme are due to run until April 2012.
Health members will be fully consulted on the offer when talks conclude in the coming weeks. If talks should fail at any point, or if members vote to reject the offer, the union's ballot for industrial action - which remains live - means the option of strike action is still on the table.
Head of health Christina McAnea added: "Talks will now enter a final stage, due to conclude in the next few weeks. We will then consult our health worker members in a ballot.
"Pensions are such an important issue to our members and their families, it is only right that they get the final say on their future." Until we have a firm offer, we need to keep up the pressure. Resources and information to help your branch are available on these pages.
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