Pensions: Motion Agreed By National Service Group Executive

This is the full text of the Local Government Pension Scheme motion agreed by the Local Government Service Group Executive on 10 January 2012.

"This SGE applauds the action taken by UNISON members and other public service trade unions on 30 November 2011 to force the government into serious negotiations over public sector pensions. We also note that the results of UNISON’s ballot resulted in the improved Reference scheme/offer from the government.

This SGE notes that the action has given rise to the potential for detailed LGPS negotiations directly between the unions and the Local Government Association (LGA) which recognise the unique features of the LGPS and its membership.

We also note that those negotiations would take place on the basis of no change until 2014 and suspension of the formal DCLG consultation over employee contribution increases and accrual rates, the outcome of which will otherwise be implemented on 1 April 2012.

This SGE recognises that UNISON is still in dispute with the government and employers and that our ballot results are still ‘live’.

This SGE agrees:

1.            To enter into detailed negotiations with the LGA to further pursue our campaign objectives

2.            To reserve our position on the detail of the LGPS principles and timetable until firm proposals emerge from the negotiations

3.            To ensure lay member involvement directly in those negotiations

4.            To establish a cross-Service Group lay member liaison group to support the negotiations comprised of Chairs and Vice Chairs or their nominees

5.            To ensure that regular consultation and communication take place throughout the negotiations with this SGE, other SGEs covered by the LGPS, Regions, branches and members

6.            To continue and intensify our campaigning activity to strengthen our hand in the negotiations, including informed and widespread lobbying of MPs and councillors and activities to highlight the impact of any changes to the LGPS on the standard of living of our members

7.            To hold an all-member ballot of our members on any final package of proposals on the ‘Big Ticket’ items that would make up the design of the new scheme

8.            That industrial action remains an option if negotiations fail"

Membership Recruitment Jumps 17%

Local government workers have been joining UNISON at a faster rate than at any time in the union's history.

During 2011, over nine thousand new members joined in the South East region alone - this compared favourably to less than eight thousand new members in the previous year - a 17% year on year  increase!

• 9,111 new members in 2011
• 7,786 new members in 2010

At a time when there are so many challenges in the workplace, people understand the benefits of being a UNISON member.

Meetings & Events

• Tuesday 21 February - SE Regional LG Committee - Reading
• Tuesday 10 April - SE Regional LG Committee - London
• Saturday 16 June – National LG Conference – pre-meet – Bournemouth
• Sunday 17 & Monday18 June – National LG Conference – Bournemouth
• Friday 28 Sept (to be confirmed) – SE Regional Autumn Conference - London
•  Tuesday 25 September - SE Regional Local Government Committee - London
• Tuesday 4 December - SE Regional Local Government Committee - London
•  Friday 1 & Saturday 2 Feb 2013 – SE Regional LG Spring Conference
• Tuesday 19 February 2013 – SE Regional LG Committee