Local government trade unions suspend agreement pending further talks

The local government trade unions, UNISON, UNITE and GMB, have today been alarmed by the response from Eric Pickles, to the joint proposal from the unions and the Local Government Association (LGA), for reforming the local government pension scheme. We understand the Secretary of State’s response has subsequently been withdrawn. In light of this confusion, we therefore suspend our agreement, and are now seeking an urgent meeting with the government to establish an agreed way forward. Heather Wakefield, UNISON head of local government, said: “The announcement today from Eric Pickles undermines trust and confidence in the relationship with the government over negotiations surrounding the Local Government pensions scheme. “In order to re-establish confidence, and a way forward, we hope that ministers will meet us as a matter of great urgency in order to get negotiations back on track. “We are disappointed that a positive way forward appears to have been undermined in this way, and hope that government, the LGA, and the trade unions, can reach agreement on a way forward.”