Site navigation

• Help | 
• Regions | 
• Contact us | 
• My email updates | 
• Sitemap

• Home
• Join
• Members
• About us
• News
• Benefits
• Campaigns
• Get active
• At work
• Equality
• Resources
• UNISONTV

• Back to Quick Links

Massive pension strike looms as unions join together

	Photo: Chris Taylor

UNISON members have been joined by members of eight other public-sector unions in voting a massive Yes to industrial action in support of fair treatment on pensions.

Although other public sector workers have been guaranteed protection for existing members, the government and employers are threatening to attack the Local Government Pension Scheme with no proper protection.

Speaking at a press conference in London, UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: "UNISON members voted by over 80 per cent for strike action to support LGPS members.

"By refusing to pay out on the LGPS, the government is destroying the retirement plans of tens of thousands of public sector workers."

He pointed out that the proposals would hit low-paid women workers hardest. UNISON members voted to support strike action by an 80 per cent margin.

Mr Prentis was joined by representatives of eight other public sector unions which have joined together to form a powerful strike team.

Under the banner Unions Together Fighting to Protect Our Pensions, UNISON was joined by the Association of Educational Psychologists, the Community and Youth Workers Union, the GMB, the National Association of Probation Officers, the Northern Ireland Public Services Alliance, the NUT, TGWU and construction workers' union UCATT. Amicus is also supporting the action.

The unions were announcing successful strike ballots to support the action which will begin with a one-day all-out strike on March 28, followed by a programme of further action including regional, selective and further national action.

For the TGWU, general secretary Tony Woodley said: "It cannot be right that people who signed up for a contract are now being told they cannot take what is rightfully theirs.

"Ministers and council leaders can be clear that our members will strike if that is what it takes."

GMB national secretary Brian Strutton said that 200,000 GMB members were "incensed" at attempts to snatch back part of their pensions benefits.

All the unions stressed the unfairness which meant LGPS members under attack were working alongside other public-sector staff who had been guaranteed protection.

The joint union action is aimed at heading off government and employer plans to reduce pension benefits for the million or so active members of the LGPS, without agreement or protection.

Some 73 per cent of LGPS members are women, with more than 60 per cent working part-time. The average women's LGPS pension is just £31 a week and 75 per cent of all LGPS pensions are less than £96 a week.

story by Lucie Hyndley
Respond to this article