UNISON members back local government pensions talks

UNISON members in the local government pensions scheme this week voted to continue negotiating with the employers over potential changes to their pensions. More than 150 nationally elected activists in UNISON’s five sector groups representing the local government pensions scheme, gave their backing to the framework proposals for talks that the union’s negotiators have secured since November 30. Negotiations will now enter an intense phase, running until April 2012 – at which point members will be fully consulted on the final offer. Should talks fail, the union’s ballot remains live, leaving the option of more industrial action on the table. Heather Wakefield, UNISON head of local government, said: “This week, our elected activists representing members that save into the local government scheme, gave their unequivocal backing to the framework proposals for more negotiations that we have secured since November 30. “We have agreed some important principles for the talks, including no change to contribution rates until 2014, and a commitment to protecting the pensions rights of workers that have been outsourced or are under threat of privatisation. “Talks with the local government employers will now run until April 2012. Members will continue to be consulted at every stage – including when we have a final offer. But if talks should break down – our ballot means we can still take industrial action.” *The five sector groups include - Local Government, Community, Police and Justice, Water, Environment and Transport (WET), and Higher Education.