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Local Government Pension Scheme

Vote YES for strike action

If you are a member - or eligible to be a member - of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), you and 829,000 other UNISON members will soon receive a ballot paper asking you to vote for strike action over cuts to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).

I urge you to VOTE YES and to return your ballot paper immediately.

We are taking this step as Government has decided to abolish the 'Rule of 85', which allows LGPS members whose age and service total 85 to retire at 60 with an unreduced pension. Only LGPS members aged 53 before 1 April 2006 will be offered any protection of their rights under the Rule of 85.

It is a disgrace that hard-working LGPS members are being so poorly treated.

All we are asking for is equal treatment with public service colleagues whose pension rights have been fully protected - including NHS and civil service staff, teachers and police officers.

Just last week the government also offered a deal to fire fighters to fully protect the current retirement age for existing members, yet on the same day they again refused to extend the same rights to LGPS members.

By returning a massive YES vote in the ballot we can make it clear to the government that they must offer equal treatment to LGPS members or face mass industrial action.

Nine trade unions are balloting their members for strike action on the LGPS at the same time, meaning the government faces the prospect of 1.5 million public service workers taking coordinated industrial action.

Please tell your colleagues and urge them to VOTE YES in the ballot.

Together let's make the Government realise that they must act now to deliver equal treatment for LGPS members.

Dave Prentis
general secretary, UNISON

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LGPS Frequently asked questions Issue 4 - Jan 2006 (PDF)