UNISON’s health service group executive will meet in a few weeks to decide on any recommendation and timetable for a ballot of members over ministers’ proposals for the NHS Pension Scheme.
The executive met yesterday to receive an update and discuss the next steps in the pensions dispute.
After a detailed presentation and debate on the current talks and proposals the committee agreed reconvene once the final package was available, to decidene a recommendation and timetable for the ballot of NHS members.
Talks are continuing to finalise the details of the proposed post-2015 NHS Pension Scheme.
In the meantime, the Westminster government imposes the first year of the imposed contribution rate increases from 1 April. The protection from increases for staff earning £26,558 (full-time equivalent) or less, promised as part of the central pensions talks, will apply.
The committee also agreed to support the Scotland regional health committee application to the industrial action committee for a programme of selective action during March to persuade Scottish ministers to start separate negotiations between the union and the devolved government in Edinburgh.
The Scottish government has initially rejected requests for Scotland-wide negotiations – while criticising the coalition pension proposals – and UNISON hopes that the plans for action will bring Scottish ministers to the negotiating table.