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 We understand the Secretary of State’s response has subsequently been withdrawn.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.”
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Friday, December 16, 2011
Warning bells should sound in Westminster
Commenting on today’s unemployment figures, showing a rise to 2.64m between August and October, UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, said:“This is a seriously bleak midwinter, as 128,000 more workers join the millions already on the dole queues. “Every month, as unemployment rises, and figures hit a 17 year high, the Government continues to ignore the human cost and push ahead with its hard and fast cuts – clinging to the hope that a struggling private sector can pick up the pieces. “These figures deliver a cold hard dose of reality. Private sector employment has increased by only 5,000, while the public sector has been hit with 67,000 job cuts – a huge gulf that the Government will fail to fill. As Thomas Cook looks likely to shed more than 600 jobs and la Senza become the latest retailer to face a restructuring, it is obvious that the worst is yet to come.“It is shameful to see that yet again, women, who make up the majority of low paid public sector workers, are the hardest hit by job losses. The 54,000 increase in youth unemployment shows that young people are also bearing the brunt, creating a lost generation that the Government will struggle to curb.“Unemployment hit similar highs before – when the Tories were in power. Warning bells should be sounding in Westminster this Christmas. We need urgent action to kick start the economy and prevent a new year unemployment record.”
Commenting on today’s unemployment figures, showing a rise to 2.64m between August and October, UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, said:“This is a seriously bleak midwinter, as 128,000 more workers join the millions already on the dole queues. “Every month, as unemployment rises, and figures hit a 17 year high, the Government continues to ignore the human cost and push ahead with its hard and fast cuts – clinging to the hope that a struggling private sector can pick up the pieces. “These figures deliver a cold hard dose of reality. Private sector employment has increased by only 5,000, while the public sector has been hit with 67,000 job cuts – a huge gulf that the Government will fail to fill. As Thomas Cook looks likely to shed more than 600 jobs and la Senza become the latest retailer to face a restructuring, it is obvious that the worst is yet to come.“It is shameful to see that yet again, women, who make up the majority of low paid public sector workers, are the hardest hit by job losses. The 54,000 increase in youth unemployment shows that young people are also bearing the brunt, creating a lost generation that the Government will struggle to curb.“Unemployment hit similar highs before – when the Tories were in power. Warning bells should be sounding in Westminster this Christmas. We need urgent action to kick start the economy and prevent a new year unemployment record.”
Wednesday, December 07, 2011
Damning report reveals real picture of council cuts
UNISON is calling for the Government to refocus on local government services and finances, in light of a damning report* on council cuts by the Audit Commission and Local Government Association* (LGA). The report shows that councils across England have already made 145,000 job cuts and the number is set to spiral. This will have a devastating impact on the lives of local government workers and communities relying on the vital services they provide.UNISON Head of Local Government, Heather Wakefield, said:“The Government must refocus on providing funding to make sure vital local services are maintained, rather than stripped bare. Councils have already made far more job cuts than they said would be necessary. This report shows that the worst is yet to come.“UNISON members have been hit hard, as they struggle to pay bills in the face rising costs. Council workers are covering large numbers of deleted and frozen posts - on a two-year pay freeze, without the £250 compensation promised by Osborne for the lowest paid. Workers are doing more, for less, as resources drop, but demand rises. On top of this, they face cuts to pay and conditions, alongside plans to make them pay more into their pensions, work longer and receive less in retirement. “Teaching assistants, youth workers and social care workers are among the groups facing the largest cuts - despite record youth unemployment and an ageing population. Low paid women are the biggest losers, as they make up 75% of council workers and 90% of the occupations worst hit.“It is disgraceful to hear the Tory-led LGA boasting of having made 50% more savings than required by central government, even before the financial crash. The latest redundancies come on top of these huge, unnecessary cuts. These job cuts are not inevitable, there is an alternative and councils have a duty to their local communities to provide hope and employment to help people get through this financial crisis.“The report paints of a picture of a bleak future, where skilled staff lose their jobs, or are left buckling under the pressure with vital services being stripped back. These council cuts are hard, fast and unnecessary and will devastate communities when what the country needs are policies that will help to kick start the economy.”
UNISON is calling for the Government to refocus on local government services and finances, in light of a damning report* on council cuts by the Audit Commission and Local Government Association* (LGA). The report shows that councils across England have already made 145,000 job cuts and the number is set to spiral. This will have a devastating impact on the lives of local government workers and communities relying on the vital services they provide.UNISON Head of Local Government, Heather Wakefield, said:“The Government must refocus on providing funding to make sure vital local services are maintained, rather than stripped bare. Councils have already made far more job cuts than they said would be necessary. This report shows that the worst is yet to come.“UNISON members have been hit hard, as they struggle to pay bills in the face rising costs. Council workers are covering large numbers of deleted and frozen posts - on a two-year pay freeze, without the £250 compensation promised by Osborne for the lowest paid. Workers are doing more, for less, as resources drop, but demand rises. On top of this, they face cuts to pay and conditions, alongside plans to make them pay more into their pensions, work longer and receive less in retirement. “Teaching assistants, youth workers and social care workers are among the groups facing the largest cuts - despite record youth unemployment and an ageing population. Low paid women are the biggest losers, as they make up 75% of council workers and 90% of the occupations worst hit.“It is disgraceful to hear the Tory-led LGA boasting of having made 50% more savings than required by central government, even before the financial crash. The latest redundancies come on top of these huge, unnecessary cuts. These job cuts are not inevitable, there is an alternative and councils have a duty to their local communities to provide hope and employment to help people get through this financial crisis.“The report paints of a picture of a bleak future, where skilled staff lose their jobs, or are left buckling under the pressure with vital services being stripped back. These council cuts are hard, fast and unnecessary and will devastate communities when what the country needs are policies that will help to kick start the economy.”
Sunday, December 04, 2011
Fuel poverty rises by a quarter
Commenting on new Consumer Focus figures, which show that fuel poverty is now hitting a quarter of all UK households, Mike Jeram, UNISON’s head of business and environment, said:“As winter draws near, a quarter of all households are being forced to make the choice between heating and eating. “According the national office of statistics, there were 25,700 deaths relating to fuel poverty in 2010-11, this is shameful. And sadly is likely to rise in line with the fuel poverty figure increase.“Just recently the big energy companies hiked up their prices, pushing ahead with profits in mind, while throwing more people into fuel poverty. Public sector workers facing pay freezes and job cuts, cannot cope with these rising fuel prices. “The Government has yet again made false promises, as it looks likely to fail its legal duty to end fuel poverty by 2016. “The Government is pushing people further into poverty with its austerity agenda. It should be concentrating on getting the economy back on track and protecting people from unsustainable prices.”
Commenting on new Consumer Focus figures, which show that fuel poverty is now hitting a quarter of all UK households, Mike Jeram, UNISON’s head of business and environment, said:“As winter draws near, a quarter of all households are being forced to make the choice between heating and eating. “According the national office of statistics, there were 25,700 deaths relating to fuel poverty in 2010-11, this is shameful. And sadly is likely to rise in line with the fuel poverty figure increase.“Just recently the big energy companies hiked up their prices, pushing ahead with profits in mind, while throwing more people into fuel poverty. Public sector workers facing pay freezes and job cuts, cannot cope with these rising fuel prices. “The Government has yet again made false promises, as it looks likely to fail its legal duty to end fuel poverty by 2016. “The Government is pushing people further into poverty with its austerity agenda. It should be concentrating on getting the economy back on track and protecting people from unsustainable prices.”
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
UNISON chief issues rallying call to its 1.1 million members
On the eve of the biggest strike in the union’s history, Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON, the UK’s largest union, has issued a rallying cry to its 1.1 million members saying:“This is an historic week for our union. The time has come to make your stand and join the fight for a fair pensions deal. I am so proud of all our members – including the nurses, social workers, PCSOs, librarians, dinner ladies, teaching assistants, bin men and paramedics who will be standing shoulder to shoulder on picket lines tomorrow.“We know we have the public on our side. They know that public service workers are not asking for more – they just want the pension deal they were promised.“Taking strike action is not an easy option, especially with Christmas just round the corner, but we will show Government ministers tomorrow that we will not take this pensions tax lying down.”
On the eve of the biggest strike in the union’s history, Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON, the UK’s largest union, has issued a rallying cry to its 1.1 million members saying:“This is an historic week for our union. The time has come to make your stand and join the fight for a fair pensions deal. I am so proud of all our members – including the nurses, social workers, PCSOs, librarians, dinner ladies, teaching assistants, bin men and paramedics who will be standing shoulder to shoulder on picket lines tomorrow.“We know we have the public on our side. They know that public service workers are not asking for more – they just want the pension deal they were promised.“Taking strike action is not an easy option, especially with Christmas just round the corner, but we will show Government ministers tomorrow that we will not take this pensions tax lying down.”
Monday, November 28, 2011
Government policies hitting women hard- not strike action
Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON, the UK’s largest union, today accused the Government of making women and families pay a high price for the economic crisis, while the bankers get off scot-free. He hit back at claims made by Co-chairman of the Conservative Party, Sayeeda Warsi, that the pensions strike will damage women, saying that it is cuts to jobs, vital public services, pensions and benefits that are hitting women across the UK hardest. Added to this, the rising cost of absolute basics such as food and fuel are squeezing family budgets to the limit. The truth is that 3,700,000 women will be affected by the Government’s plans to make them pay more, work longer, for less benefits.Dave Prentis, went on to say:“It is this Government’s savage economic policies that are really hurting women and their families. UNISON has one million women members and they deliver vital services day in day out, looking after and educating our children, caring for the sick and elderly and keeping communities and young people safe. It is this Government that has pushed them to the brink and into strike action to protect their pensions. “Applications to join UNISON have gone up by 126% since the result of our ballot was announced, 81% from women. These women don’t take strike action lightly, but they know who to turn to for help – and it is not this Coalition Government who are losing the trust of women across the UK.”For facts about women and pensions see UNISON’s ‘The Pension Pinch’Coalition ministers want to make major changes to the pension available to public service workers – 65% of whom are women.
Check out our infographic. Click on it to enlarge it.
http://www.unison.org.uk/n30/infographic.asp
Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON, the UK’s largest union, today accused the Government of making women and families pay a high price for the economic crisis, while the bankers get off scot-free. He hit back at claims made by Co-chairman of the Conservative Party, Sayeeda Warsi, that the pensions strike will damage women, saying that it is cuts to jobs, vital public services, pensions and benefits that are hitting women across the UK hardest. Added to this, the rising cost of absolute basics such as food and fuel are squeezing family budgets to the limit. The truth is that 3,700,000 women will be affected by the Government’s plans to make them pay more, work longer, for less benefits.Dave Prentis, went on to say:“It is this Government’s savage economic policies that are really hurting women and their families. UNISON has one million women members and they deliver vital services day in day out, looking after and educating our children, caring for the sick and elderly and keeping communities and young people safe. It is this Government that has pushed them to the brink and into strike action to protect their pensions. “Applications to join UNISON have gone up by 126% since the result of our ballot was announced, 81% from women. These women don’t take strike action lightly, but they know who to turn to for help – and it is not this Coalition Government who are losing the trust of women across the UK.”For facts about women and pensions see UNISON’s ‘The Pension Pinch’Coalition ministers want to make major changes to the pension available to public service workers – 65% of whom are women.
Check out our infographic. Click on it to enlarge it.
http://www.unison.org.uk/n30/infographic.asp
Public spending myths
It’s an uncertain and confusing time. People will try to exploit this by
spreading misinformation and creating scapegoats. Some are even
saying that public services are part of the problem. Here are the facts.
Was this crisis caused by too much public spending?
the UK still spends less (21% of GDP) on public services and social security
than France (29%), Germany (27%), Italy (25%), or Sweden (29%).
before this crisis, total UK public debt was less than 40% of GDP – lower than
other comparable economies and lower than it was in 1997.
irresponsible borrowing and lending in the private sector caused this crisis – in
2008 household debt was 109% of GDP, and corporate debt almost 300%.
public deficits are now rising fast because the government has had to take on
the private sector’s bad debts and counteract the damage to the economy.
Are public services a waste of money?
there are examples of waste, like PFI or management consultants, but most of
the money goes to help people in need or improve everyone’s quality of life
public service productivity has been improving consistently since 2003 – for
every pound put in, we get more and better services in return.
investing in public services also helps local jobs and businesses – for every
pound spent, 64 pence is recycled into the local economy.
Do I get anything in return for the taxes I pay?
the average UK household relies on benefits and public services worth more
than £10,000 every year – more than they contribute in direct or indirect tax.
those in greater need, such as the elderly, people with disabilities or children in
poverty, rely on public spending even more – and would be hardest hit by cuts.
“In every downturn, politicians and press turn on the public sector – feather-bedded,
gold-plated, protected… Picking on choice examples of public excess, the right aims
to persuade voters to cut services in ways that will cause immense public harm.”
– Polly Toynbee, The Guardian
Are we paying for lots of ‘non-jobs’ in public services?
some job titles sound odd if you don’t know what they mean – but they usually
turn out to be important and valuable if you look into it properly
the public sector employs fewer managers per worker than the private sector,
and fewer administrators per worker than the private financial services sector
the real problem in our public services is staff shortages – for example we don’t
have enough midwives, youth workers, planners, social workers, or carers
Do public service workers have it easy?
26% of public sector employees feel “very stressed” or “extremely stressed”,
compared to 18% in the private sector
31% of local government workers and 52% of NHS workers regularly work
overtime without receiving any extra pay or time off in lieu
public service workers take no more sickness absence than workers of the
same age and gender employed in the private sector
last year there were 48,000 redundancies in ‘education, health & public
administration’; many more are expected this year
Are public service workers over-paid?
the richest 1% of the UK population take home more money every year than
the total pay bill for the NHS, schools and local government put together
the majority of public service workers earn less than £22,000 a year, and 20%
of them – more than 1.5 million in total – earn less than £7 an hour
since 1997 public sector pay has risen less than private sector pay, and for the
past few years public sector pay deals have been below-inflation
the average pension for a local government worker is about £4,000 a year, or
£1,600 for women
the average NHS pension is about £7,000 a year, or £5,000 for women – this
figure includes higher paid doctors; most NHS staff get much less
Does the recession mean public services have to be cut?
right now the government should be borrowing to increase social spending.
Cutting benefits or services would make the recession longer and harder.
in future years we will have to reduce government borrowing. But this can be
done by raising taxes or cutting spending in other areas. It’s a political choice.
more people think the government should raise taxes (53%)
rather than reduce spending on public services (35%) as a way
of paying back public debt.
billions could be raised by ensuring big companies and the
super-rich pay a fairer share of tax.
More could be saved by cancelling Trident or ID cards.
It’s an uncertain and confusing time. People will try to exploit this by
spreading misinformation and creating scapegoats. Some are even
saying that public services are part of the problem. Here are the facts.
Was this crisis caused by too much public spending?
the UK still spends less (21% of GDP) on public services and social security
than France (29%), Germany (27%), Italy (25%), or Sweden (29%).
before this crisis, total UK public debt was less than 40% of GDP – lower than
other comparable economies and lower than it was in 1997.
irresponsible borrowing and lending in the private sector caused this crisis – in
2008 household debt was 109% of GDP, and corporate debt almost 300%.
public deficits are now rising fast because the government has had to take on
the private sector’s bad debts and counteract the damage to the economy.
Are public services a waste of money?
there are examples of waste, like PFI or management consultants, but most of
the money goes to help people in need or improve everyone’s quality of life
public service productivity has been improving consistently since 2003 – for
every pound put in, we get more and better services in return.
investing in public services also helps local jobs and businesses – for every
pound spent, 64 pence is recycled into the local economy.
Do I get anything in return for the taxes I pay?
the average UK household relies on benefits and public services worth more
than £10,000 every year – more than they contribute in direct or indirect tax.
those in greater need, such as the elderly, people with disabilities or children in
poverty, rely on public spending even more – and would be hardest hit by cuts.
“In every downturn, politicians and press turn on the public sector – feather-bedded,
gold-plated, protected… Picking on choice examples of public excess, the right aims
to persuade voters to cut services in ways that will cause immense public harm.”
– Polly Toynbee, The Guardian
Are we paying for lots of ‘non-jobs’ in public services?
some job titles sound odd if you don’t know what they mean – but they usually
turn out to be important and valuable if you look into it properly
the public sector employs fewer managers per worker than the private sector,
and fewer administrators per worker than the private financial services sector
the real problem in our public services is staff shortages – for example we don’t
have enough midwives, youth workers, planners, social workers, or carers
Do public service workers have it easy?
26% of public sector employees feel “very stressed” or “extremely stressed”,
compared to 18% in the private sector
31% of local government workers and 52% of NHS workers regularly work
overtime without receiving any extra pay or time off in lieu
public service workers take no more sickness absence than workers of the
same age and gender employed in the private sector
last year there were 48,000 redundancies in ‘education, health & public
administration’; many more are expected this year
Are public service workers over-paid?
the richest 1% of the UK population take home more money every year than
the total pay bill for the NHS, schools and local government put together
the majority of public service workers earn less than £22,000 a year, and 20%
of them – more than 1.5 million in total – earn less than £7 an hour
since 1997 public sector pay has risen less than private sector pay, and for the
past few years public sector pay deals have been below-inflation
the average pension for a local government worker is about £4,000 a year, or
£1,600 for women
the average NHS pension is about £7,000 a year, or £5,000 for women – this
figure includes higher paid doctors; most NHS staff get much less
Does the recession mean public services have to be cut?
right now the government should be borrowing to increase social spending.
Cutting benefits or services would make the recession longer and harder.
in future years we will have to reduce government borrowing. But this can be
done by raising taxes or cutting spending in other areas. It’s a political choice.
more people think the government should raise taxes (53%)
rather than reduce spending on public services (35%) as a way
of paying back public debt.
billions could be raised by ensuring big companies and the
super-rich pay a fairer share of tax.
More could be saved by cancelling Trident or ID cards.
Friday, November 25, 2011
UNISON adverts paint real picture of pensions crisis ahead of strike
UNISON has launched a set of hard-hitting adverts, which show the real face of the pensions crisis pushing public sector workers to strike. The women featured include a custody detention officer, nurse and a local government worker, who finds jobs and apprenticeships for unemployed young people. The adverts point out exactly how much worse off the women would be at work and in retirement because of ministers’ pension proposals.Women in the public sector have been the hardest hit by the Government’s pay freeze, job and service cuts. Proposals to make them pay more for their pensions and work longer, for less, have forced these workers to breaking point and have led to them to join the picket lines on 30 November.Dave Prentis, UNISON’s General Secretary, said:“These are real people taking real action to protect their pensions. The majority of public sector workers are women, who are struggling to pay their bills and feed their families in the face of a pay freeze and rising inflation. These workers cannot afford to pay more and work longer, to receive less in retirement.“The workers in the adverts represent the many women who have been pushed to the brink by Government ministers’ pensions proposals.“Public sector workers spend their lives providing vital services and care deeply about their communities. They have had their pay frozen and seen rising workloads, as jobs and services are slashed. Now Government ministers’ are coming for their pensions. “We are willing to negotiate with Government ministers’ any time, any place, but we still have no deal that we can put to a single one of these workers. We want pensions that are secure and sustainable and give people dignity in their retirement. The door is open, it’s time to talk.”
UNISON has launched a set of hard-hitting adverts, which show the real face of the pensions crisis pushing public sector workers to strike. The women featured include a custody detention officer, nurse and a local government worker, who finds jobs and apprenticeships for unemployed young people. The adverts point out exactly how much worse off the women would be at work and in retirement because of ministers’ pension proposals.Women in the public sector have been the hardest hit by the Government’s pay freeze, job and service cuts. Proposals to make them pay more for their pensions and work longer, for less, have forced these workers to breaking point and have led to them to join the picket lines on 30 November.Dave Prentis, UNISON’s General Secretary, said:“These are real people taking real action to protect their pensions. The majority of public sector workers are women, who are struggling to pay their bills and feed their families in the face of a pay freeze and rising inflation. These workers cannot afford to pay more and work longer, to receive less in retirement.“The workers in the adverts represent the many women who have been pushed to the brink by Government ministers’ pensions proposals.“Public sector workers spend their lives providing vital services and care deeply about their communities. They have had their pay frozen and seen rising workloads, as jobs and services are slashed. Now Government ministers’ are coming for their pensions. “We are willing to negotiate with Government ministers’ any time, any place, but we still have no deal that we can put to a single one of these workers. We want pensions that are secure and sustainable and give people dignity in their retirement. The door is open, it’s time to talk.”
Thursday, November 24, 2011
UNISON calls on Government ministers' to negotiate
Commenting on Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander's announcement today that there was "no more money on the table" to settle the dispute over the Government's controversial pension reforms, Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said:Despite what Danny Alexander says, there is no money on the table at the moment and no offer. After eight months of talks, all we have is a statement in Parliament. Danny Alexander's words need to be translated into offers in the specific pension scheme talks, so that we have something on which to negotiate and to put to our members. And if government ministers are so worried about the impact on the economy, they should make sure that there are offers made in those talks. The strike will go ahead - it is a last resort, but dinner ladies, teaching assistants and nurses will be among millions of public sector workers walking out next Wednesday. We are willing to negotiate any time, any place, for pensions that are secure and sustainable and give people dignity in their retirement.
Commenting on Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander's announcement today that there was "no more money on the table" to settle the dispute over the Government's controversial pension reforms, Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said:Despite what Danny Alexander says, there is no money on the table at the moment and no offer. After eight months of talks, all we have is a statement in Parliament. Danny Alexander's words need to be translated into offers in the specific pension scheme talks, so that we have something on which to negotiate and to put to our members. And if government ministers are so worried about the impact on the economy, they should make sure that there are offers made in those talks. The strike will go ahead - it is a last resort, but dinner ladies, teaching assistants and nurses will be among millions of public sector workers walking out next Wednesday. We are willing to negotiate any time, any place, for pensions that are secure and sustainable and give people dignity in their retirement.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Government Housing Strategy Raises False Hope
“For the millions of people on waiting lists, living in unsuitable homes, or struggling to get on the housing ladder, the Government’s latest bid to tackle the housing crisis, does little more than cruelly raise false hopes”, warned Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, today.Decent, affordable housing is in short supply said the union, but today’s announcement of £400m has to be seen in the context of the 60 per cent - £4billion - cut to the affordable housing budget announced in last year’s spending review.Dave Prentis, went on to say:“The level of demand for affordable homes is outstripping supply at a rate of two to one. The government’s dogmatic refusal to spell out the extent to which their measures will address this gap does not give any grounds for optimism.“We need serious, long-term investment in the housing sector to give people hope and to boost jobs and the economy.”
“For the millions of people on waiting lists, living in unsuitable homes, or struggling to get on the housing ladder, the Government’s latest bid to tackle the housing crisis, does little more than cruelly raise false hopes”, warned Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, today.Decent, affordable housing is in short supply said the union, but today’s announcement of £400m has to be seen in the context of the 60 per cent - £4billion - cut to the affordable housing budget announced in last year’s spending review.Dave Prentis, went on to say:“The level of demand for affordable homes is outstripping supply at a rate of two to one. The government’s dogmatic refusal to spell out the extent to which their measures will address this gap does not give any grounds for optimism.“We need serious, long-term investment in the housing sector to give people hope and to boost jobs and the economy.”
Sunday, November 20, 2011
FURTHER INFORMATION ON LGPS DISPUTE
1. The changes made basing index linking from RPI to CPI have already happened and will further reduce pensions.
2. Many low paid staff have already opted out of the LGPS – an average of 25% of eligible workers are not paying into the scheme, and in some authorities less than 50 per cent of workers are paying in
3. Many LGPS members are facing tough choices about their outgoings in the face of a pay freeze and the soaring cost of living including food, transport and energy prices. The 80% of local government workers earning £21k or under have not received the £250 compensation during what is so far a two-year pay freeze, unlike other parts of the public sector. Contribution increases will mean many will not be able to afford to continue to pay into the scheme
4. The threshold of £15k to protect ‘low paid’ workers from paying more is far too low. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s “Minimum Income Standard” for a working couple with two children is at least £36,800 for a minimum acceptable standard of living – an average of £18,400 each
5. Many part-time staff whose actual earnings are less than £15k will not be protected from having to pay higher contributions because their full-time equivalent earnings on which their pension is based would be above that. In local government two thirds of our workforce are part-time
6. The uncertainty about just what our pension will be worth in future years means many workers are losing confidence in the benefits of paying into the scheme. The current proposals for LGPS are due to take effect in 2014, but a whole raft more detrimental changes are expected from 2015. Workers are increasingly questioning whether it will be worth our while to continue paying more and more in. The uncertainty that has blighted confidence in private sector money-purchase schemes is spreading to public sector schemes
If there are large scale opt-outs from the LGPS, the consequences could be catastrophic.
On current terms the LGPS will be cash rich for 15-20 years – it currently takes in £4bn more each year than it pays out. If the changes trigger large scale opt-outs, the Scheme will be in deficit within 5 years. Far from sustaining public sector schemes for the future, the changes could be bringing about their demise.
1. The changes made basing index linking from RPI to CPI have already happened and will further reduce pensions.
2. Many low paid staff have already opted out of the LGPS – an average of 25% of eligible workers are not paying into the scheme, and in some authorities less than 50 per cent of workers are paying in
3. Many LGPS members are facing tough choices about their outgoings in the face of a pay freeze and the soaring cost of living including food, transport and energy prices. The 80% of local government workers earning £21k or under have not received the £250 compensation during what is so far a two-year pay freeze, unlike other parts of the public sector. Contribution increases will mean many will not be able to afford to continue to pay into the scheme
4. The threshold of £15k to protect ‘low paid’ workers from paying more is far too low. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s “Minimum Income Standard” for a working couple with two children is at least £36,800 for a minimum acceptable standard of living – an average of £18,400 each
5. Many part-time staff whose actual earnings are less than £15k will not be protected from having to pay higher contributions because their full-time equivalent earnings on which their pension is based would be above that. In local government two thirds of our workforce are part-time
6. The uncertainty about just what our pension will be worth in future years means many workers are losing confidence in the benefits of paying into the scheme. The current proposals for LGPS are due to take effect in 2014, but a whole raft more detrimental changes are expected from 2015. Workers are increasingly questioning whether it will be worth our while to continue paying more and more in. The uncertainty that has blighted confidence in private sector money-purchase schemes is spreading to public sector schemes
If there are large scale opt-outs from the LGPS, the consequences could be catastrophic.
On current terms the LGPS will be cash rich for 15-20 years – it currently takes in £4bn more each year than it pays out. If the changes trigger large scale opt-outs, the Scheme will be in deficit within 5 years. Far from sustaining public sector schemes for the future, the changes could be bringing about their demise.
Thursday, November 03, 2011
03/11/2011
Yes Vote signals green light for strike action
Following the decisive yes vote, UNISON’s lay activists have given the green light to strike action on 30 November, to protect their pensions.The union welcomed the theoretical improvements to the pension schemes made by Danny Alexander yesterday, saying that the pressure from UNISON and others had resulted in the Government moving significantly from their original position.Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON, the UK’s largest union, said:“Today’s Yes vote signals the green light for the first day of strike action, and we will be joining with other unions in the TUC co-ordinated day of action on November 30th.“While there was significant movement from the Government yesterday, at this stage we only have a theoretical pension scheme, that has yet to be translated into scheme offers. We have no offer in either the local government or the health pension schemes that we can put to our members.“What we do have is a overwhelming yes vote in a legal ballot. And our democratic committees have taken the decision to authorise action with the TUC in line with the wishes of our members.“So it is now up to government ministers and employers‚ to get down to work and come up with firm offers that we can put to our members.”
Yes Vote signals green light for strike action
Following the decisive yes vote, UNISON’s lay activists have given the green light to strike action on 30 November, to protect their pensions.The union welcomed the theoretical improvements to the pension schemes made by Danny Alexander yesterday, saying that the pressure from UNISON and others had resulted in the Government moving significantly from their original position.Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON, the UK’s largest union, said:“Today’s Yes vote signals the green light for the first day of strike action, and we will be joining with other unions in the TUC co-ordinated day of action on November 30th.“While there was significant movement from the Government yesterday, at this stage we only have a theoretical pension scheme, that has yet to be translated into scheme offers. We have no offer in either the local government or the health pension schemes that we can put to our members.“What we do have is a overwhelming yes vote in a legal ballot. And our democratic committees have taken the decision to authorise action with the TUC in line with the wishes of our members.“So it is now up to government ministers and employers‚ to get down to work and come up with firm offers that we can put to our members.”
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Dave Prentis, general secretary
Our industrial action ballot over unnecessary and damaging plans to make public sector workers work longer, pay more and get less in their retirement, closes on Thursday 3 November. See what the changes mean to you here.Everyone entitled to vote should have received their ballot paper by now - find yours at home and post it back - don't delay. Vote Yes today. It's important that you use your vote. We know that those who are against us will argue that any abstention is a No vote and means you're in favour of the attacks on your pension. Don't give them that excuse!So act now and vote Yes to defend your pension. And forward this e-mail to your work colleagues and friends. If you haven't received your ballot paper, or if you need a replacement, remember you've got until midday on 31 October to call the ballot hotline on 0845 355 0845.
Our industrial action ballot over unnecessary and damaging plans to make public sector workers work longer, pay more and get less in their retirement, closes on Thursday 3 November. See what the changes mean to you here.Everyone entitled to vote should have received their ballot paper by now - find yours at home and post it back - don't delay. Vote Yes today. It's important that you use your vote. We know that those who are against us will argue that any abstention is a No vote and means you're in favour of the attacks on your pension. Don't give them that excuse!So act now and vote Yes to defend your pension. And forward this e-mail to your work colleagues and friends. If you haven't received your ballot paper, or if you need a replacement, remember you've got until midday on 31 October to call the ballot hotline on 0845 355 0845.
Separating the pensions facts from the right wing fiction:
If closed today the LGPS could still pay all its liabilities for 20 years.
The Treasury gets £2bn more in NHS pension contributions than it pays out in benefits.
The average Local Government pension is £4,000 pa - hardly gold plated.
The average NHS pension is £7,000 per annum - again hardly gold plated.
Half of NHS women pensioners receive less than £3,500 per annum.
The bosses of Britain's largest companies have an average pension 34 times bigger than the average public sector pension
High Court challenge to public sector pensions
Six unions have mounted a legal challenge on behalf of millions of public sector workers over what inflation index is used to increase their pensions.A judicial review hearing starts in the High Court on Tuesday (25) to challenge the switch to using the consumer price index (CPI) instead of the traditionally-higher retail price index (RPI) for the annual increase in public sector pensions.The move - effective from April this year - was announced by chancellor George Osborne in the June 2010 budget, without any consultation or negotiation, who claimed CPI was the more appropriate measure. The unions have always contended it was a deficit reduction measure.As part of the ongoing talks over wider cuts to public sector pensions, ministers have since ruled out any negotiations on the issue.The government must review pensions and benefits each year against increases in prices and uprate them by at least the same percentage. September's inflation figures put CPI at 5.2% and RPI at 5.6%.Because CPI is around 1.2% lower on average than RPI, the loss to existing public sector pensioners will be around 15%. It is already affecting staff currently paying into career average schemes whose pension pots are revalued annually and will be smaller when they retire.The switch has also been applied to many private sector pensions, wiping an estimated £75 billion off their value. Some estimates put the figure even higher.The unions' case is that the imposed move was not permitted under social security legislation, and that it reneges on assurances given by successive governments that RPI would apply.The six unions are UNISON, the Fire Brigades' Union, teachers' union NASUWT, Prison Officers Association, Public and Commercial Services union, and Unite.All the unions have either already balloted for industrial action, are balloting, or will be supporting the day of action over pensions on 30 November.There will be a demonstration in support of the judicial review outside the Royal Courts of Justice, Strand, London WC2A 2LL, from 8.30am to 10am on Tuesday 25 October.UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: "UNISON is backing this judicial review because we cannot allow the coalition to run roughshod over pensioners."The way that a country treats its citizens when they retire is a mark of a decent and fair society. The government has stepped over that mark - the switch is nothing but a cynical, multi-million pound raid on pensioners to pay down a deficit they did nothing to cause. This flawed measure of inflation does not even include housing costs - a major expenditure for many retired people."Instead of clobbering pensioners, and people on benefits, the government should impose a tiny tax on financial transactions that would raise billions."FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said "The government actions are unfair and, we believe, unlawful. This is a vicious attack on existing and future pensioners that could cost them tens of thousands of pounds."Pensioners are being forced to bear an unfair burden for the financial crisis caused by the banks. Firefighters will be robbed of thousands of pounds while the bankers who caused the problems continue to count up huge bonuses."We're being told to work a lot longer, pay a lot more and now get a lot less. Hard hit pensioners don't feel 'we're all in it together' when the chancellor's chums in the City still have their snouts in the trough at our expense."NASUWT general secretary Chris Keates: "The question the court is being asked to answer is whether it is just and fair to arbitrarily change the basis on which pensions are calculated, reducing their value by thousands of pounds."The government's actions are a breach of the contract with ordinary working people. We are looking to the court to make sure that millions of ordinary workers will not be left facing a bleak and uncertain future at a time when cost of living is soaring."POA deputy general secretary Mark Freeman said: "Once again the government has shown its willingness to attack the vulnerable in society to protect their friends in the financial institutions. The trade unions will demonstrate their support for pensioners on 30 November and the POA urges all right thinking workers to demonstrate on that day.*PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "The switch from RPI to CPI is just another example of how this government wants public servants, pensioners and people entitled to benefits to pay the heaviest price for the recession. For new entrants to the civil service it means an immediate cut in their pensions, ripping up an agreement we reached just a few years ago."As well as challenging this in court, the unions are mounting the widest, most co-ordinated industrial action we have seen in our lifetimes, to force the government to think again and show how out of touch millionaire ministers are with the lives and concerns of the rest of us."Unite general secretary, Len McCluskey said: "Our legal challenge against the coalition government is hugely significant for workers in both the public and private sectors."Public sector workers face an opportunistic attack on their pensions by this government, but many workers in the private sector have also been affected."Vested interests are trying to create a wedge between public and private sector workers, when in reality they have common cause on this. We know that some private sector employers are already attempting to move to the lower inflation index citing the government's example. In reality this government wants us all to work for longer and for less."
Six unions have mounted a legal challenge on behalf of millions of public sector workers over what inflation index is used to increase their pensions.A judicial review hearing starts in the High Court on Tuesday (25) to challenge the switch to using the consumer price index (CPI) instead of the traditionally-higher retail price index (RPI) for the annual increase in public sector pensions.The move - effective from April this year - was announced by chancellor George Osborne in the June 2010 budget, without any consultation or negotiation, who claimed CPI was the more appropriate measure. The unions have always contended it was a deficit reduction measure.As part of the ongoing talks over wider cuts to public sector pensions, ministers have since ruled out any negotiations on the issue.The government must review pensions and benefits each year against increases in prices and uprate them by at least the same percentage. September's inflation figures put CPI at 5.2% and RPI at 5.6%.Because CPI is around 1.2% lower on average than RPI, the loss to existing public sector pensioners will be around 15%. It is already affecting staff currently paying into career average schemes whose pension pots are revalued annually and will be smaller when they retire.The switch has also been applied to many private sector pensions, wiping an estimated £75 billion off their value. Some estimates put the figure even higher.The unions' case is that the imposed move was not permitted under social security legislation, and that it reneges on assurances given by successive governments that RPI would apply.The six unions are UNISON, the Fire Brigades' Union, teachers' union NASUWT, Prison Officers Association, Public and Commercial Services union, and Unite.All the unions have either already balloted for industrial action, are balloting, or will be supporting the day of action over pensions on 30 November.There will be a demonstration in support of the judicial review outside the Royal Courts of Justice, Strand, London WC2A 2LL, from 8.30am to 10am on Tuesday 25 October.UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: "UNISON is backing this judicial review because we cannot allow the coalition to run roughshod over pensioners."The way that a country treats its citizens when they retire is a mark of a decent and fair society. The government has stepped over that mark - the switch is nothing but a cynical, multi-million pound raid on pensioners to pay down a deficit they did nothing to cause. This flawed measure of inflation does not even include housing costs - a major expenditure for many retired people."Instead of clobbering pensioners, and people on benefits, the government should impose a tiny tax on financial transactions that would raise billions."FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said "The government actions are unfair and, we believe, unlawful. This is a vicious attack on existing and future pensioners that could cost them tens of thousands of pounds."Pensioners are being forced to bear an unfair burden for the financial crisis caused by the banks. Firefighters will be robbed of thousands of pounds while the bankers who caused the problems continue to count up huge bonuses."We're being told to work a lot longer, pay a lot more and now get a lot less. Hard hit pensioners don't feel 'we're all in it together' when the chancellor's chums in the City still have their snouts in the trough at our expense."NASUWT general secretary Chris Keates: "The question the court is being asked to answer is whether it is just and fair to arbitrarily change the basis on which pensions are calculated, reducing their value by thousands of pounds."The government's actions are a breach of the contract with ordinary working people. We are looking to the court to make sure that millions of ordinary workers will not be left facing a bleak and uncertain future at a time when cost of living is soaring."POA deputy general secretary Mark Freeman said: "Once again the government has shown its willingness to attack the vulnerable in society to protect their friends in the financial institutions. The trade unions will demonstrate their support for pensioners on 30 November and the POA urges all right thinking workers to demonstrate on that day.*PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "The switch from RPI to CPI is just another example of how this government wants public servants, pensioners and people entitled to benefits to pay the heaviest price for the recession. For new entrants to the civil service it means an immediate cut in their pensions, ripping up an agreement we reached just a few years ago."As well as challenging this in court, the unions are mounting the widest, most co-ordinated industrial action we have seen in our lifetimes, to force the government to think again and show how out of touch millionaire ministers are with the lives and concerns of the rest of us."Unite general secretary, Len McCluskey said: "Our legal challenge against the coalition government is hugely significant for workers in both the public and private sectors."Public sector workers face an opportunistic attack on their pensions by this government, but many workers in the private sector have also been affected."Vested interests are trying to create a wedge between public and private sector workers, when in reality they have common cause on this. We know that some private sector employers are already attempting to move to the lower inflation index citing the government's example. In reality this government wants us all to work for longer and for less."
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Government 's £35 million raid on public sector pensions
From today, millions of retired public sector workers will see the real value of their pension drop, because payments will be linked to increases in the September CPI*, rather than increases in the September RPI**, says UNISON, the UK’s largest union. Based on the average pension rates in the health and local government schemes, UNISON calculates that the move has taken more than £35 million out of the pockets of retired public sector workers in just one year alone. September’s RPI figure has historically been used to calculate the yearly uplift in state and public sector pensions, as well as a range of other benefits, to reflect the cost of living. With CPI consistently lower than RPI, this represents a cut in pensions and other benefits, at the same time as the government is trying to claim it wants to protect pensioners. Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said: “This is nothing but a multi million pound raid on pensioners to pay down the deficit. It’s a disgrace – retired people getting a state or public sector pension did not cause the economic crisis – but they are paying for it. At the same time the government is trying to claim it is protecting pensioners – these claims are hollow. “We already know that pensioners are struggling to cope with the rising cost of fuel, food and housing. From April next year, life will be a little harder for some of the most vulnerable in our society. It could push more people into poverty in their old age. “Public sector pensioners will be hit twice – once in their basic state pension, and again in the public sector pension they have saved all their working life for. “Taking money out of pensioners’ pockets will also hit our chances of economic recovery. Our stagnant economic growth desperately needs people to be out spending in shops and businesses – not struggling to cope with the basic cost of living. There are fairer alternatives to pay down the deficit. Instead of clobbering pensioners, and people on a host of other benefits, the government could impose a tiny tax on financial transactions to raise billions.”The switch in pensions and benefits indexation is part of wider moves to attack pensions. UNISON is currently running the biggest ballot in history over detrimental plans for public sector pensions, and is calling on members to Vote Yes for industrial action. Government ministers are trying to raise £4 billion by making public sector workers pay more, work longer, all for less in their retirement – we believe this is a tax on public sector workers to pay down the deficit. Reforms already made to public sector pensions have made them affordable and sustainable for the long term. The local government scheme, that council, some education workers and police and probation staff save into, could pay all its liabilities for 20 years without a single penny more in contributions. The health scheme raises £2bn for the Treasury every year, because more money is coming in than going out. Over the next five years it will raise £10 billion that will be used to top up government spending.
From today, millions of retired public sector workers will see the real value of their pension drop, because payments will be linked to increases in the September CPI*, rather than increases in the September RPI**, says UNISON, the UK’s largest union. Based on the average pension rates in the health and local government schemes, UNISON calculates that the move has taken more than £35 million out of the pockets of retired public sector workers in just one year alone. September’s RPI figure has historically been used to calculate the yearly uplift in state and public sector pensions, as well as a range of other benefits, to reflect the cost of living. With CPI consistently lower than RPI, this represents a cut in pensions and other benefits, at the same time as the government is trying to claim it wants to protect pensioners. Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said: “This is nothing but a multi million pound raid on pensioners to pay down the deficit. It’s a disgrace – retired people getting a state or public sector pension did not cause the economic crisis – but they are paying for it. At the same time the government is trying to claim it is protecting pensioners – these claims are hollow. “We already know that pensioners are struggling to cope with the rising cost of fuel, food and housing. From April next year, life will be a little harder for some of the most vulnerable in our society. It could push more people into poverty in their old age. “Public sector pensioners will be hit twice – once in their basic state pension, and again in the public sector pension they have saved all their working life for. “Taking money out of pensioners’ pockets will also hit our chances of economic recovery. Our stagnant economic growth desperately needs people to be out spending in shops and businesses – not struggling to cope with the basic cost of living. There are fairer alternatives to pay down the deficit. Instead of clobbering pensioners, and people on a host of other benefits, the government could impose a tiny tax on financial transactions to raise billions.”The switch in pensions and benefits indexation is part of wider moves to attack pensions. UNISON is currently running the biggest ballot in history over detrimental plans for public sector pensions, and is calling on members to Vote Yes for industrial action. Government ministers are trying to raise £4 billion by making public sector workers pay more, work longer, all for less in their retirement – we believe this is a tax on public sector workers to pay down the deficit. Reforms already made to public sector pensions have made them affordable and sustainable for the long term. The local government scheme, that council, some education workers and police and probation staff save into, could pay all its liabilities for 20 years without a single penny more in contributions. The health scheme raises £2bn for the Treasury every year, because more money is coming in than going out. Over the next five years it will raise £10 billion that will be used to top up government spending.
Monday, October 17, 2011
False economy of damaging changes to local government pension scheme
UNISON has exposed the false economy of Government Ministers’ plans to make damaging changes to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). Figures produced for the union, show that by paying into their pensions council workers save the government a total of £2.5billion every year* in benefit claims. The proposed changes would lead to pensioner poverty for millions of workers, pushing them onto benefits such as pension credit, council tax benefit and housing benefit. The average pension received by all members of the LGPS is just £3,048* a year - but saving for their pensions means members are less dependent on benefits in the future. The UK’s largest union is currently balloting 1.1 million members for strike action over the changes to public sector schemes.Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said:“These figures expose the false economy of making these unnecessary and damaging changes to the Local Government Pension Scheme.“If Government Ministers push ahead with their plans to make council workers pay more and work longer, for less, then many may be forced to opt out the scheme, pushing people onto costly benefits when they retire.“Two thirds of LGPS members are women, working as teaching assistants, carers, social workers, cleaners and dinner ladies. The average pension of these women is just £2,800 a year, yet they may be forced to opt out if Government Ministers push ahead with plans to make them pay more and work longer, for less.“The Local Government scheme is cash rich, with the income far exceeding the outgoings. All public sector schemes were assessed and renegotiated to be sustainable and affordable just three years ago and are very secure. “Our members know these changes are a false economy and will fight to protect their pensions by ticking the ‘Yes’ box in the ballot papers this week.”
UNISON has exposed the false economy of Government Ministers’ plans to make damaging changes to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). Figures produced for the union, show that by paying into their pensions council workers save the government a total of £2.5billion every year* in benefit claims. The proposed changes would lead to pensioner poverty for millions of workers, pushing them onto benefits such as pension credit, council tax benefit and housing benefit. The average pension received by all members of the LGPS is just £3,048* a year - but saving for their pensions means members are less dependent on benefits in the future. The UK’s largest union is currently balloting 1.1 million members for strike action over the changes to public sector schemes.Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said:“These figures expose the false economy of making these unnecessary and damaging changes to the Local Government Pension Scheme.“If Government Ministers push ahead with their plans to make council workers pay more and work longer, for less, then many may be forced to opt out the scheme, pushing people onto costly benefits when they retire.“Two thirds of LGPS members are women, working as teaching assistants, carers, social workers, cleaners and dinner ladies. The average pension of these women is just £2,800 a year, yet they may be forced to opt out if Government Ministers push ahead with plans to make them pay more and work longer, for less.“The Local Government scheme is cash rich, with the income far exceeding the outgoings. All public sector schemes were assessed and renegotiated to be sustainable and affordable just three years ago and are very secure. “Our members know these changes are a false economy and will fight to protect their pensions by ticking the ‘Yes’ box in the ballot papers this week.”
Pensions dispute linked to recruitment surge
At the heart of the campaign: the West Midlands pensions hub in action (14/10/11) The concern of public sector workers for the future of their pensions – and their recognition of the role UNISON is playing in protecting them – has led to a surge of new members in the West Midlands. The region has recruited more than 640 new members in the past 10 days, as a direct result of the pensions dispute. Across the UK, UNISON is balloting 1.1 million members for industrial action over the proposed changes to pensions, which would make public sector employees work longer, pay more and get less when they retire.Seven days before the ballot opened, West Midlands region focused its annual health week on the pensions issue. That week alone, it recruited 315 student nurses. "There are hundreds of briefings going on across the region, with activists and staff getting to meet members in all areas and all service groups," says regional convenor Sue Laws. "And recruitment is excellent. "This is a great opportunity to get out there and show what UNISON can do."West Midlands regional secretary Ravi Subramanian adds: "This is, without doubt, the biggest industrial action ballot UNISON has ever undertaken. We need a big turnout and a strong Yes vote to send a strong message that UNISON members will fight to protect their pensions."To that end, says Mr Subramanian, UNISON needs every one of its activists to go into workplaces to spread the message about why it is important to vote in the ballot. The region has prepared the ground for its own activists with the creation of a "pensions hub". Set up in the regional centre in Birmingham and staffed by four organising staff, the hub acts as a walk-in centre for pensions champions and other branch activists, advising them on the key pensions facts and how to discuss them with members. The team also operates a phone line and email Q&A service, distributes pensions materials, and produces a News from the Hub newsletter for pensions champions. "It's working really well," says area organiser Lynn Horsnett, who is one of the quartet running the hub. "It's giving a sense of co-ordination for the ballot campaign across the region and helps to keep everyone focused on getting the vote out." Ms Horsnett said that the pensions champions – at least one for each of the region's 80 branches – were trained at the regional centre. They are now being supported by organising staff in delivering briefings in workplaces. At the same time, retired members and others are volunteering at the hub phones, extending the coverage of members even further.
At the heart of the campaign: the West Midlands pensions hub in action (14/10/11) The concern of public sector workers for the future of their pensions – and their recognition of the role UNISON is playing in protecting them – has led to a surge of new members in the West Midlands. The region has recruited more than 640 new members in the past 10 days, as a direct result of the pensions dispute. Across the UK, UNISON is balloting 1.1 million members for industrial action over the proposed changes to pensions, which would make public sector employees work longer, pay more and get less when they retire.Seven days before the ballot opened, West Midlands region focused its annual health week on the pensions issue. That week alone, it recruited 315 student nurses. "There are hundreds of briefings going on across the region, with activists and staff getting to meet members in all areas and all service groups," says regional convenor Sue Laws. "And recruitment is excellent. "This is a great opportunity to get out there and show what UNISON can do."West Midlands regional secretary Ravi Subramanian adds: "This is, without doubt, the biggest industrial action ballot UNISON has ever undertaken. We need a big turnout and a strong Yes vote to send a strong message that UNISON members will fight to protect their pensions."To that end, says Mr Subramanian, UNISON needs every one of its activists to go into workplaces to spread the message about why it is important to vote in the ballot. The region has prepared the ground for its own activists with the creation of a "pensions hub". Set up in the regional centre in Birmingham and staffed by four organising staff, the hub acts as a walk-in centre for pensions champions and other branch activists, advising them on the key pensions facts and how to discuss them with members. The team also operates a phone line and email Q&A service, distributes pensions materials, and produces a News from the Hub newsletter for pensions champions. "It's working really well," says area organiser Lynn Horsnett, who is one of the quartet running the hub. "It's giving a sense of co-ordination for the ballot campaign across the region and helps to keep everyone focused on getting the vote out." Ms Horsnett said that the pensions champions – at least one for each of the region's 80 branches – were trained at the regional centre. They are now being supported by organising staff in delivering briefings in workplaces. At the same time, retired members and others are volunteering at the hub phones, extending the coverage of members even further.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
12/10/2011
UNISON chief in warning over pensions value
Speaking at the union’s retired members’ conference, UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, will today warn the government that anger is building from pensioners hit hard by their decision to use CPI, not RPI*, to calculate pension payments. He will also thank the union’s retired members for their strong support in the union’s campaign for decent pensions, as it gears up for the biggest industrial action in a generation over detrimental changes to public sector pensions. Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said: “I am warning the government that pensioners are angry that their savings have been raided. Not only do they face the biggest industrial action in a generation from public sector workers, they face losing the long term support of pensioners come election time.“Retired members know how important it is to stand up for pensions rights. They know that even after a lifetime of saving, public sector pensions are not gold plated. They also know what a struggle it is for other pensioners to cope with the rising cost of living. Energy bills and the price of basics such as food and housing are on the up. These daily essentials take up the lion’s share of pensioners’ weekly budgets. “The government has made things harder for pensioners by switching from retail prices to consumer prices to calculate pension rises. From April this year, this will spark a long-term decline in the value of public and state pensions. This will push more pensioners into poverty in their retirement.”Separating the pensions facts from the right wing fiction: If closed today the LGPS could still pay all its liabilities for 20 years The Treasury gets £2bn more in NHS pension contributions than it pays out in benefits The average Local Government pension is £4,000 pa - hardly gold plated. The average NHS pension is £7,000 per annum - again hardly gold plated. Half of NHS women pensioners receive less than £3,500 per annum The bosses of Britain's largest companies have an average pension 34 times bigger than the average public sector pension*CPI – consumer prices index, RPI – retail prices index UNISON has 1.4 million members, and another 140,000 retired members.
UNISON chief in warning over pensions value
Speaking at the union’s retired members’ conference, UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, will today warn the government that anger is building from pensioners hit hard by their decision to use CPI, not RPI*, to calculate pension payments. He will also thank the union’s retired members for their strong support in the union’s campaign for decent pensions, as it gears up for the biggest industrial action in a generation over detrimental changes to public sector pensions. Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said: “I am warning the government that pensioners are angry that their savings have been raided. Not only do they face the biggest industrial action in a generation from public sector workers, they face losing the long term support of pensioners come election time.“Retired members know how important it is to stand up for pensions rights. They know that even after a lifetime of saving, public sector pensions are not gold plated. They also know what a struggle it is for other pensioners to cope with the rising cost of living. Energy bills and the price of basics such as food and housing are on the up. These daily essentials take up the lion’s share of pensioners’ weekly budgets. “The government has made things harder for pensioners by switching from retail prices to consumer prices to calculate pension rises. From April this year, this will spark a long-term decline in the value of public and state pensions. This will push more pensioners into poverty in their retirement.”Separating the pensions facts from the right wing fiction: If closed today the LGPS could still pay all its liabilities for 20 years The Treasury gets £2bn more in NHS pension contributions than it pays out in benefits The average Local Government pension is £4,000 pa - hardly gold plated. The average NHS pension is £7,000 per annum - again hardly gold plated. Half of NHS women pensioners receive less than £3,500 per annum The bosses of Britain's largest companies have an average pension 34 times bigger than the average public sector pension*CPI – consumer prices index, RPI – retail prices index UNISON has 1.4 million members, and another 140,000 retired members.
Unemployment figures - UNISON response
As unemployment reaches its highest level in 17 years, UNISON, the UK’s largest union, is calling on the government to ditch plan A and act quickly to get our recovery on track. The union has been campaigning for an alternative economic plan that includes taxing bank bonuses and transactions, using cash raised to protect jobs, and stimulate growth and recovery. Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said: “Here is yet more proof that this government’s policies are wrong for the economy. Our recovery is not even off the starting blocks, and the toll of job losses keeps on mounting.“Today’s figures show that young people are paying a heavy price for the bankers’ recession – the government must act to give them hope for the future. Long-term unemployed figures are also climbing – to be out of work for more than 12 months has a huge impact on people and their families. “The government must put a stop to public sector job losses – they are hitting the private sector, and our chances of recovery, hard. There are fair alternatives – such as getting the banks to pay their fair share, introducing a small (0.05%) tax on financial transactions, and raise billions that can be used to stimulate growth and recovery – and give hardworking people back some hope.”
Monday, October 10, 2011
DCLG pensions' proposals - UNISON response
UNISON, the UK’s largest union, said today that the Department for Communities and Local Government's (DCLG) proposals for local government pensions would hit the predominantly low paid, women workforce in local government, hard. Heather Wakefield, UNISON head of local government, said: “These proposals would hit low paid women in local government hard – they make up the vast majority of local government workers. Their pensions are already low – average rates are £4,000 for men, dropping to just £2,600 or £50 a week for women. Changes to the accrual rates would bring down the value of their pensions even further. “We have said from the start that these drastic changes to the local government pension scheme are not necessary – it is cash rich and financially sound. The reforms already made in the last set of negotiations have made it affordable and sustainable for the long term.” Key facts about the local government scheme The local government scheme could fund all its liabilities for twenty years without a single penny more in contributions. It has funds worth £140 billion – equivalent to 12% of UK GDP, making it one of the biggest institutional investors in the world.
UNISON, the UK’s largest union, said today that the Department for Communities and Local Government's (DCLG) proposals for local government pensions would hit the predominantly low paid, women workforce in local government, hard. Heather Wakefield, UNISON head of local government, said: “These proposals would hit low paid women in local government hard – they make up the vast majority of local government workers. Their pensions are already low – average rates are £4,000 for men, dropping to just £2,600 or £50 a week for women. Changes to the accrual rates would bring down the value of their pensions even further. “We have said from the start that these drastic changes to the local government pension scheme are not necessary – it is cash rich and financially sound. The reforms already made in the last set of negotiations have made it affordable and sustainable for the long term.” Key facts about the local government scheme The local government scheme could fund all its liabilities for twenty years without a single penny more in contributions. It has funds worth £140 billion – equivalent to 12% of UK GDP, making it one of the biggest institutional investors in the world.
Friday, October 07, 2011
Women bear brunt of Government Ministers' pension attack
Women are the biggest group to be affected by government ministers plans to change public sector pension schemes, according to new figures gathered by UNISON, the UK’s largest union. More than 3.7 million women* (6 in 10) working in public services across the UK could be affected by the plans to make them pay more, work longer and receive less pension in retirement – 320,445 of these are in the South West. After 8 months’ of talks, UNISON has decided to ballot 1.1m of its members in local government, the NHS, police support staff, the environment agency, water companies and passenger transport executives for strike action. Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said: “We have found that women in the South West are being badly hit by the recession both as providers and as users of services. In the public sector, they face pay freezes at a time of rising inflation, job losses and now an attack on their pension entitlements. “These women are often low paid and struggling to make ends meet as prices rise and wages are cut; many are single parents. They already pay a sizeable proportion of their salaries into their pension schemes to save for their retirement. And those schemes are already sustainable and affordable. Government ministers want them to pay on average around 50% more, with no guarantee that the money will go into the pension schemes. All but the lowest paid will have to pay what is effectively a tax on public sector workers trying to save for their retirement. “I have said that we are willing to negotiate anywhere, anytime, but after 8 months of talks, we don’t seem to be making much progress. So we are asking members to vote yes to strike action in the forthcoming ballot.”Jane Carter, 37, is a receptionist for Bath and North East Somerset Council. She said: “I currently earn £16,000 a year and pay £87 per month into my pension. I am very concerned by the government’s changes as I may have to pay an extra £45 a month, work for longer and see no benefit for it. “I’ve had to make sacrifices due to a long-term medical condition and am already cutting expenditure. Prices are rising and any pensions increases forced on us by government will make life harder and wipe out my ability to save. I will therefore be voting yes in the strike ballot.”Nurses, care staff, teaching assistants, social workers and school meals workers are just some of the women who will be affected by the plans. The average pension for a woman working in local government is just £2,800 a year and in health it’s around £3,500 a year. The lowest paid already pay 5.5% in the LGPS and 5% in the NHSPS of their salaries to save for their retirement. This rises to 7.5% and 8.5% for those on higher pay. If they did not save, they would end up on means-tested benefits, at a cost to taxpayers. UNISON has more than one million members in membership.
Women are the biggest group to be affected by government ministers plans to change public sector pension schemes, according to new figures gathered by UNISON, the UK’s largest union. More than 3.7 million women* (6 in 10) working in public services across the UK could be affected by the plans to make them pay more, work longer and receive less pension in retirement – 320,445 of these are in the South West. After 8 months’ of talks, UNISON has decided to ballot 1.1m of its members in local government, the NHS, police support staff, the environment agency, water companies and passenger transport executives for strike action. Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said: “We have found that women in the South West are being badly hit by the recession both as providers and as users of services. In the public sector, they face pay freezes at a time of rising inflation, job losses and now an attack on their pension entitlements. “These women are often low paid and struggling to make ends meet as prices rise and wages are cut; many are single parents. They already pay a sizeable proportion of their salaries into their pension schemes to save for their retirement. And those schemes are already sustainable and affordable. Government ministers want them to pay on average around 50% more, with no guarantee that the money will go into the pension schemes. All but the lowest paid will have to pay what is effectively a tax on public sector workers trying to save for their retirement. “I have said that we are willing to negotiate anywhere, anytime, but after 8 months of talks, we don’t seem to be making much progress. So we are asking members to vote yes to strike action in the forthcoming ballot.”Jane Carter, 37, is a receptionist for Bath and North East Somerset Council. She said: “I currently earn £16,000 a year and pay £87 per month into my pension. I am very concerned by the government’s changes as I may have to pay an extra £45 a month, work for longer and see no benefit for it. “I’ve had to make sacrifices due to a long-term medical condition and am already cutting expenditure. Prices are rising and any pensions increases forced on us by government will make life harder and wipe out my ability to save. I will therefore be voting yes in the strike ballot.”Nurses, care staff, teaching assistants, social workers and school meals workers are just some of the women who will be affected by the plans. The average pension for a woman working in local government is just £2,800 a year and in health it’s around £3,500 a year. The lowest paid already pay 5.5% in the LGPS and 5% in the NHSPS of their salaries to save for their retirement. This rises to 7.5% and 8.5% for those on higher pay. If they did not save, they would end up on means-tested benefits, at a cost to taxpayers. UNISON has more than one million members in membership.
Wednesday, October 05, 2011
Climate of fear created as police jobs axed
UNISON is predicting a climate of fear caused by huge cuts to police staff, on the day of the Home Affairs speeches at Tory party conference. An Ipsos MORI survey carried out for the union in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight shows that 71% of residents believe their communities will be less safe after the cuts.Three quarters of the public surveyed (75%) are concerned that cuts on this scale will hit services, including frontline policing. The findings also indicate that two-thirds (66%) of those surveyed in Hampshire and Isle of Wight feel that these cuts to police budgets put at risk the Conservative Party’s reputation for being tough on crime.Hampshire Constabulary is facing a 20% cut to its budget. Between 2010 and 2015 the national police service will lose 16,100 police staff, 1,800 PCSOs and 16,200 police officers. Ben Priestley, UNISON’s National Officer for Police Staff, said:“The public are not fooled by the Government’s false claims about protecting frontline policing. A climate of fear is being created by these cuts to police staff. “Forensics officers, PCSOs and 999 call takers are among the police staff carrying out vital roles for community safety. The public know that if these jobs are cut there will be more pressures on the frontline and crime will soar.“If officers are forced off the beat to take over back office work, we will lose vital police presence. This is also a false economy – the cost of doing the work doubles, as officers are paid around twice a much as police staff.“The Government claims that forces must just tighten their belts and become more efficient, but the results of the survey proves that the general public have seen through this. The public realise that less spending on police will mean more crime in their community. We have the public on our side when it comes to cutting crime - it is about time the Government started listening to us and them.”
UNISON is predicting a climate of fear caused by huge cuts to police staff, on the day of the Home Affairs speeches at Tory party conference. An Ipsos MORI survey carried out for the union in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight shows that 71% of residents believe their communities will be less safe after the cuts.Three quarters of the public surveyed (75%) are concerned that cuts on this scale will hit services, including frontline policing. The findings also indicate that two-thirds (66%) of those surveyed in Hampshire and Isle of Wight feel that these cuts to police budgets put at risk the Conservative Party’s reputation for being tough on crime.Hampshire Constabulary is facing a 20% cut to its budget. Between 2010 and 2015 the national police service will lose 16,100 police staff, 1,800 PCSOs and 16,200 police officers. Ben Priestley, UNISON’s National Officer for Police Staff, said:“The public are not fooled by the Government’s false claims about protecting frontline policing. A climate of fear is being created by these cuts to police staff. “Forensics officers, PCSOs and 999 call takers are among the police staff carrying out vital roles for community safety. The public know that if these jobs are cut there will be more pressures on the frontline and crime will soar.“If officers are forced off the beat to take over back office work, we will lose vital police presence. This is also a false economy – the cost of doing the work doubles, as officers are paid around twice a much as police staff.“The Government claims that forces must just tighten their belts and become more efficient, but the results of the survey proves that the general public have seen through this. The public realise that less spending on police will mean more crime in their community. We have the public on our side when it comes to cutting crime - it is about time the Government started listening to us and them.”
Tuesday, October 04, 2011
Australia: Public Sector workers launch campaign against government cuts and campaign for union rights
More than 40,000 NSW State public employees turned out in the State capital, Sydney alone, to demonstrate the start of the State Public Unions campaign against the Conservative (Liberal) Government cuts to the State public sector, and the new State laws designed to take away public employees’ rights to bargain, and to make the Independent State Labour Court just an arm of Government Policy.
Thousands of State employees also stopped work, and came out to demonstrate in major regional centres and small towns outside Sydney.
All PSI affiliates in NSW were there in their tens of thousands. The Public Service Association of NSW, the NSW Nurses, The Australian Services Union, the Communications Electronic Plumbing Union joined their fellow Public Sector unions like the Teachers Federation, the Police Association, the Fire Brigades Union, the Rail Tram and Bus Union and the Health Services Union in a massive rally and protest march past of the NSW Parliament that took more than two hours to complete.
The unions in the public sector joined together with private sector unions like the Metal Workers, Manufacturing Workers, Security Officers Union, Childcare Workers Union, Finance Sector Union, and thousands of Federal government employees in our other PSI affiliates, like the CPSU, under the umbrella of the State Labour Council “Better Services -Better State” campaign. That is a local version or equivalent of the PSI “Quality Public Services” Campaign.
A day after the State Government added an extra 5000 job cuts, in its first Conservative State Budget, to its billions of dollars in spending cuts and a massive privatization of State Assets, state wide prison closures and privatizations, ports and transport privatisations, cuts to housing subsidies, the unions were outraged that in this public spending cut was added the plan to abolish public sector workers rights to collectively bargain.
The day before the demonstration, the NSW State Government threatened massive fines, singling- out state teachers who stopped work to protest the spending cuts and laws against workers rights. The State Government threatened to take the union to the very State Industrial Court, that it had just directed not to use its powers to fix fair wages for Public Servants, the same law against which the public service workers were protesting. This prompted many more thousands of teachers to walk out in defiance, and State Ferry workers to call a snap strike to let members join the demonstration. The city metropolitan train system was swamped by state workers flooding to get to the demonstration in the city centre of Sydney, outside the State Parliament.
Numbers across the State who demonstrated were probably close to 60,000, three times the unions’ original plans, and representing about a fifth of the whole State public workforce.
The unions were addressed at their rally by rank and file public employees who said - they had “just begun to fight”, and that the fight won’t end till their rights were restored, or, the Conservative (Liberal) Government was defeated. The rally was told, time and again, that Quality Public Services were what the public deserved and that was what the pubic unions were committed to fight for. They said - Demonstrations were just the start, but the fight will really take place in a “long game” on the ground, in Communities, and finally the Electorates.
Note: Another Conservative (Liberal) Government
More than 40,000 NSW State public employees turned out in the State capital, Sydney alone, to demonstrate the start of the State Public Unions campaign against the Conservative (Liberal) Government cuts to the State public sector, and the new State laws designed to take away public employees’ rights to bargain, and to make the Independent State Labour Court just an arm of Government Policy.
Thousands of State employees also stopped work, and came out to demonstrate in major regional centres and small towns outside Sydney.
All PSI affiliates in NSW were there in their tens of thousands. The Public Service Association of NSW, the NSW Nurses, The Australian Services Union, the Communications Electronic Plumbing Union joined their fellow Public Sector unions like the Teachers Federation, the Police Association, the Fire Brigades Union, the Rail Tram and Bus Union and the Health Services Union in a massive rally and protest march past of the NSW Parliament that took more than two hours to complete.
The unions in the public sector joined together with private sector unions like the Metal Workers, Manufacturing Workers, Security Officers Union, Childcare Workers Union, Finance Sector Union, and thousands of Federal government employees in our other PSI affiliates, like the CPSU, under the umbrella of the State Labour Council “Better Services -Better State” campaign. That is a local version or equivalent of the PSI “Quality Public Services” Campaign.
A day after the State Government added an extra 5000 job cuts, in its first Conservative State Budget, to its billions of dollars in spending cuts and a massive privatization of State Assets, state wide prison closures and privatizations, ports and transport privatisations, cuts to housing subsidies, the unions were outraged that in this public spending cut was added the plan to abolish public sector workers rights to collectively bargain.
The day before the demonstration, the NSW State Government threatened massive fines, singling- out state teachers who stopped work to protest the spending cuts and laws against workers rights. The State Government threatened to take the union to the very State Industrial Court, that it had just directed not to use its powers to fix fair wages for Public Servants, the same law against which the public service workers were protesting. This prompted many more thousands of teachers to walk out in defiance, and State Ferry workers to call a snap strike to let members join the demonstration. The city metropolitan train system was swamped by state workers flooding to get to the demonstration in the city centre of Sydney, outside the State Parliament.
Numbers across the State who demonstrated were probably close to 60,000, three times the unions’ original plans, and representing about a fifth of the whole State public workforce.
The unions were addressed at their rally by rank and file public employees who said - they had “just begun to fight”, and that the fight won’t end till their rights were restored, or, the Conservative (Liberal) Government was defeated. The rally was told, time and again, that Quality Public Services were what the public deserved and that was what the pubic unions were committed to fight for. They said - Demonstrations were just the start, but the fight will really take place in a “long game” on the ground, in Communities, and finally the Electorates.
Note: Another Conservative (Liberal) Government
Pickles gets it wrong on trade union facility time
UNISON, the UK’s largest union, said today that Eric Pickles had got it wrong on trade union facility time. Far from costing taxpayers money, trade union involvement has a very positive impact on the workplace. Research commissioned by the Department for Business in 2007 suggested that effective and engaged union representation saves the public purse between £170m and £400m a year by improving retention, training take-up, health and safety, and dispute resolution; and as much as £3.6bn a year through general productivity gains.Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said: “Attacking trade unions who work with employers to create an efficient, more motivated workplace is just plain daft. Workers have a right to be represented. “If trade union stewards are going to represent staff properly, they need time away from their usual jobs to do it. Public sector reps already contribute up to 100,000 unpaid hours every week. What’s more, collective bargaining saves cash. If councils or the NHS had to negotiate individually with all their staff, they would be forced to spend a fortune on consultants or mediators.“Public services are facing savage cut backs and workers have a right to have their voices heard and rightly expect their union reps to be there to help them when they need them most. “Trade union facility time makes good business sense, and any attempts to cut it will end up costing the taxpayer money.” - A report for the Department of Trade and Industry in 2007, said that the UK’s 350,000 workplace reps brought in benefits worth £476 million to £1,133 million annually.- A TUC report in December 2009 said that trade union involvement boosted productivity by making people feel listened to, and more in control of their working lives. - Reps in the public sector contribute up to 100,000 unpaid hours of their own time each week to carry out their union duties, the research showed. This is time that directly benefits public services and the people who work in them. - The DTI estimates this productivity boost is worth between £3.4 billion, and £10.2 billion to the economy.
UNISON, the UK’s largest union, said today that Eric Pickles had got it wrong on trade union facility time. Far from costing taxpayers money, trade union involvement has a very positive impact on the workplace. Research commissioned by the Department for Business in 2007 suggested that effective and engaged union representation saves the public purse between £170m and £400m a year by improving retention, training take-up, health and safety, and dispute resolution; and as much as £3.6bn a year through general productivity gains.Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said: “Attacking trade unions who work with employers to create an efficient, more motivated workplace is just plain daft. Workers have a right to be represented. “If trade union stewards are going to represent staff properly, they need time away from their usual jobs to do it. Public sector reps already contribute up to 100,000 unpaid hours every week. What’s more, collective bargaining saves cash. If councils or the NHS had to negotiate individually with all their staff, they would be forced to spend a fortune on consultants or mediators.“Public services are facing savage cut backs and workers have a right to have their voices heard and rightly expect their union reps to be there to help them when they need them most. “Trade union facility time makes good business sense, and any attempts to cut it will end up costing the taxpayer money.” - A report for the Department of Trade and Industry in 2007, said that the UK’s 350,000 workplace reps brought in benefits worth £476 million to £1,133 million annually.- A TUC report in December 2009 said that trade union involvement boosted productivity by making people feel listened to, and more in control of their working lives. - Reps in the public sector contribute up to 100,000 unpaid hours of their own time each week to carry out their union duties, the research showed. This is time that directly benefits public services and the people who work in them. - The DTI estimates this productivity boost is worth between £3.4 billion, and £10.2 billion to the economy.
Tories are creating a 'smaller, less tolerant Britain'
The Tory-Lib Dem government is creating "a smaller Britain, a less tolerant country," UNISON told Labour delegates in Liverpool today. Speaking at the equalities debate, on the final day of the party's conference, Labour Link delegate Pat May said that the fight against inequality, racism and prejudice was a fight for public services."Without our Black members and migrant worker members, public services would grind to a halt," she said. Ms May spoke of the union's fight against the BNP and of the Hope Not Hate campaign. But she added that "the politics of demonising and scapegoating" migrant workers and other minorities for the problems caused by employers and the financial crisis "is not restricted to the far right. It has entered the mainstream."Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper told delegates that equality had been debated on every day of the conference. She spoke in particular of the hardships felt by women under the current government, "being hit twice as hard as men by the government tax and benefit changes" as well as by the "double discrimination" of sexism and ageism. Ms Cooper told delegates that when deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman and others confronted David Cameron with the problems being faced by women, "his response was not 'sorry', but 'calm down'."He will learn that women across the country are not going to calm down, but will get angrier and angrier, louder and louder."Also referring to the prominence of the NHS on the conference agenda this week, she added: "We know that whatever our background, the NHS is the most important institutional embodiment of fairness and equality in our society."
The Tory-Lib Dem government is creating "a smaller Britain, a less tolerant country," UNISON told Labour delegates in Liverpool today. Speaking at the equalities debate, on the final day of the party's conference, Labour Link delegate Pat May said that the fight against inequality, racism and prejudice was a fight for public services."Without our Black members and migrant worker members, public services would grind to a halt," she said. Ms May spoke of the union's fight against the BNP and of the Hope Not Hate campaign. But she added that "the politics of demonising and scapegoating" migrant workers and other minorities for the problems caused by employers and the financial crisis "is not restricted to the far right. It has entered the mainstream."Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper told delegates that equality had been debated on every day of the conference. She spoke in particular of the hardships felt by women under the current government, "being hit twice as hard as men by the government tax and benefit changes" as well as by the "double discrimination" of sexism and ageism. Ms Cooper told delegates that when deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman and others confronted David Cameron with the problems being faced by women, "his response was not 'sorry', but 'calm down'."He will learn that women across the country are not going to calm down, but will get angrier and angrier, louder and louder."Also referring to the prominence of the NHS on the conference agenda this week, she added: "We know that whatever our background, the NHS is the most important institutional embodiment of fairness and equality in our society."
Friday, August 26, 2011
Support rallies for Plymouth UNISON
Hundreds rallied for union rights in Plymouth this lunchtime as pressure mounted on the Tory council to reverse its derecognition of UNISON.The council derecognised the union – the largest among its workforce – last week after UNISON refused to sign a new collective agreement introducing worse pay and conditions for staff, which legal advice said was potentially discriminatory.The move was condemned by general secretary Dave Prentis as an "aggressive and disproportionate response to UNISON's honest efforts to protect our members. jobs, pay and conditions and protect vital services for local people" and he urged the council to get back round the table and negotiate.Over the past week, the UNISON branch has been overwhelmed by messages of support from the people of Plymouth and the labour movement across the country and the globe.Yesterday, the European Public Service Unions general secretary Jan Willem Goudriaan wrote to the council, urging it to re-recognise UNISON, and the branch received a message of support from New York municipal workers.Bill Henning, vice president of US union CWA in New York, wrote: "On behalf of the 10,000 members of our local union, comprising many who work for the City of New York, we express our solidarity with our sisters and brothers in UNISON. "We stand ready to assist you in any way possible." An injury to one is an injury to all. Your victory will be our victory."And today, hundreds of UNISON members, Plymouth residents and fellow trade unionists turned out at the lunch-time rally outside the Civic Centre to press Plymouth council to recognise UNISON and start talking.South West regional secretary Joanne Kaye said: "The only sensible solution is for the council to restore recognition and let us get back to the negotiating table and find a solution we can all support."We are being condemned for standing up for our members and standing firm against pay cuts – but that is our role as a trade union, and the council needs to understand this."The union's lawyers have also written to the council, warning of a legal challence if it does not see sense.
Hundreds rallied for union rights in Plymouth this lunchtime as pressure mounted on the Tory council to reverse its derecognition of UNISON.The council derecognised the union – the largest among its workforce – last week after UNISON refused to sign a new collective agreement introducing worse pay and conditions for staff, which legal advice said was potentially discriminatory.The move was condemned by general secretary Dave Prentis as an "aggressive and disproportionate response to UNISON's honest efforts to protect our members. jobs, pay and conditions and protect vital services for local people" and he urged the council to get back round the table and negotiate.Over the past week, the UNISON branch has been overwhelmed by messages of support from the people of Plymouth and the labour movement across the country and the globe.Yesterday, the European Public Service Unions general secretary Jan Willem Goudriaan wrote to the council, urging it to re-recognise UNISON, and the branch received a message of support from New York municipal workers.Bill Henning, vice president of US union CWA in New York, wrote: "On behalf of the 10,000 members of our local union, comprising many who work for the City of New York, we express our solidarity with our sisters and brothers in UNISON. "We stand ready to assist you in any way possible." An injury to one is an injury to all. Your victory will be our victory."And today, hundreds of UNISON members, Plymouth residents and fellow trade unionists turned out at the lunch-time rally outside the Civic Centre to press Plymouth council to recognise UNISON and start talking.South West regional secretary Joanne Kaye said: "The only sensible solution is for the council to restore recognition and let us get back to the negotiating table and find a solution we can all support."We are being condemned for standing up for our members and standing firm against pay cuts – but that is our role as a trade union, and the council needs to understand this."The union's lawyers have also written to the council, warning of a legal challence if it does not see sense.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Public sector pension plans pose danger to private firms
Undermining the huge investment power of local government pension funds (LGPFs), is a dangerous financial gamble, with serious consequences for the UK economy, warns UNISON, the UK’s largest union today (17 August). A study by the union reveals the enormous risk posed to companies on the London Stock Exchange, and to major UK banks, by Government plans to change the pension scheme. The scheme’s investments, worth a whopping £160 billion last year, make it equivalent to one of the largest institutional investors in the world. The funds own 1.5% of shares in the largest companies on the London Stock Exchange – investing nearly £11 billion in the top 11 companies. LGPFs also own 1.5% of UK banks shares. Dave Prentis, UNSION General Secretary, said: “Local government pension funds are a steady and significant stream of investment for many big UK firms. Worth £160 billion, it’s a huge financial boost to private companies, and to the UK economy as a whole. “But this could all change if Government plans to raise contribution rates, price people out of the scheme. A quarter of local government workers already opt out because they can’t afford to save for their retirement. “At least 20% more could opt out if contribution rates go up further. This will hit cash flow hard and could mean investments are cashed in early. The worst case scenario is that the schemes collapse entirely. This would be a disaster for the taxpayer, who would have to pick up a massive means tested benefits bill later on down the line.”Top facts on the local government pension scheme:The scheme went through a thorough review in 2008 to make it sustainable and affordable for the long term. And it worked – a fact confirmed by a recent report by the Chartered Institute for Public Finance & Accountancy (CIPFA). Local government workers already pay between 5.5 and 7.5% of their salary into their pension. The average pension in local government is £4,000, dropping to just £2,800 for women.The local government scheme could fund all its liabilities for twenty years without a single penny more in contributions. Tables with amount of LGPF holdings in major FTSE companies and banks, available from the press office.
Undermining the huge investment power of local government pension funds (LGPFs), is a dangerous financial gamble, with serious consequences for the UK economy, warns UNISON, the UK’s largest union today (17 August). A study by the union reveals the enormous risk posed to companies on the London Stock Exchange, and to major UK banks, by Government plans to change the pension scheme. The scheme’s investments, worth a whopping £160 billion last year, make it equivalent to one of the largest institutional investors in the world. The funds own 1.5% of shares in the largest companies on the London Stock Exchange – investing nearly £11 billion in the top 11 companies. LGPFs also own 1.5% of UK banks shares. Dave Prentis, UNSION General Secretary, said: “Local government pension funds are a steady and significant stream of investment for many big UK firms. Worth £160 billion, it’s a huge financial boost to private companies, and to the UK economy as a whole. “But this could all change if Government plans to raise contribution rates, price people out of the scheme. A quarter of local government workers already opt out because they can’t afford to save for their retirement. “At least 20% more could opt out if contribution rates go up further. This will hit cash flow hard and could mean investments are cashed in early. The worst case scenario is that the schemes collapse entirely. This would be a disaster for the taxpayer, who would have to pick up a massive means tested benefits bill later on down the line.”Top facts on the local government pension scheme:The scheme went through a thorough review in 2008 to make it sustainable and affordable for the long term. And it worked – a fact confirmed by a recent report by the Chartered Institute for Public Finance & Accountancy (CIPFA). Local government workers already pay between 5.5 and 7.5% of their salary into their pension. The average pension in local government is £4,000, dropping to just £2,800 for women.The local government scheme could fund all its liabilities for twenty years without a single penny more in contributions. Tables with amount of LGPF holdings in major FTSE companies and banks, available from the press office.
Unemployment figures - UNISON response
Commenting on the rise in unemployment figures by more than 38,000 in the three months to June - to 2.49 million - Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said:"This is 38,000 more families forced onto the dole queues and struggling to survive in the face of rising costs. "Young people getting their A Level results tomorrow face a bleak future. There will be many who had dreamed of going to university, but are priced out by the hike in tuition fees. They will be joining those people struggling to find work. "The Government's savage cuts have cut off vital opportunities in the public sector and the private sector is struggling to withstand the economic downturn. "Requests to UNISON for support with bankruptcy have soared by 78% - because of members or their partners losing their jobs. This will only increase as more jobs disappear and vacancies go unfilled. "The Government's economic strategy is in tatters. They need to stop the cuts and restore hope by planning for growth."
Commenting on the rise in unemployment figures by more than 38,000 in the three months to June - to 2.49 million - Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said:"This is 38,000 more families forced onto the dole queues and struggling to survive in the face of rising costs. "Young people getting their A Level results tomorrow face a bleak future. There will be many who had dreamed of going to university, but are priced out by the hike in tuition fees. They will be joining those people struggling to find work. "The Government's savage cuts have cut off vital opportunities in the public sector and the private sector is struggling to withstand the economic downturn. "Requests to UNISON for support with bankruptcy have soared by 78% - because of members or their partners losing their jobs. This will only increase as more jobs disappear and vacancies go unfilled. "The Government's economic strategy is in tatters. They need to stop the cuts and restore hope by planning for growth."
Bankruptcies rocket as inflation figures released
UNISON has today (16 August) revealed a 78% increase in members contacting them for support to declare themselves bankrupt*, as a result of the Government’s failing economic policies. Many of the members forced to file for bankruptcy are low paid women, who borrowed money to buy goods and services, but are unable to pay back because someone in the family has lost their job.
UNISON Welfare - the charity arm of the union - is predicting a further rise in bankruptcy requests, as Government cuts lead to more public sector workers losing their jobs. Many more members, who have mortgages, would file for bankruptcy, but are afraid of losing their homes, so seek other types of support. UNISON Welfare was also forced to close a new school uniforms grant scheme early, due to the high demand. The grant pot was extended several times, to £40,000, to help members across the UK buy clothes for their children to start the new school term.In the three-month period from April to June, UNISON Welfare paid out £216,741 for all types of grant. 70% of members needing help were women, with 68% falling into the 36-55 age group. A combined total of 85% of the members work in local government and health.The highest number of members asking for support were in the North West, Scotland, Northern and Yorkshire and Humberside regions. The majority of school uniform grant requests were also from the north. Requests for help with emergency crisis payments rose by 34%, basic household items by 26%, and disability equipment and adaptations, by 25%. Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said:“UNISON Welfare has provided vital support to low-paid members throughout the economic crisis, but the demand is growing by the day. The Government needs to change its economic policies, before more people are pushed into poverty. “Our members are already struggling to cope with the pay freeze and the situation will only get worse, with inflation expected to go up to 5% by the end of the year. Many are struggling just to buy a school shirt for their child. “A huge increase in requests to our charity for bankruptcy support shows the severity of the situation. “The Government should abandon all talk of cutting the 50% tax rate and concentrate instead on closing the gap between those at the top and the bottom.”The school uniform grant is payable at £50 per child up to a maximum one off payment of £150. The small grants programme was introduced in 2010 with the launch of the Help with Winter Fuel Costs Grant, to help low paid members struggling to pay bills.*The union covers up to £700 in fees to the court to file for full bankruptcy, or £90 for a debt relief order, for debts of £15,000, or lower, after the member has fully qualified for assistance.
UNISON has today (16 August) revealed a 78% increase in members contacting them for support to declare themselves bankrupt*, as a result of the Government’s failing economic policies. Many of the members forced to file for bankruptcy are low paid women, who borrowed money to buy goods and services, but are unable to pay back because someone in the family has lost their job.
UNISON Welfare - the charity arm of the union - is predicting a further rise in bankruptcy requests, as Government cuts lead to more public sector workers losing their jobs. Many more members, who have mortgages, would file for bankruptcy, but are afraid of losing their homes, so seek other types of support. UNISON Welfare was also forced to close a new school uniforms grant scheme early, due to the high demand. The grant pot was extended several times, to £40,000, to help members across the UK buy clothes for their children to start the new school term.In the three-month period from April to June, UNISON Welfare paid out £216,741 for all types of grant. 70% of members needing help were women, with 68% falling into the 36-55 age group. A combined total of 85% of the members work in local government and health.The highest number of members asking for support were in the North West, Scotland, Northern and Yorkshire and Humberside regions. The majority of school uniform grant requests were also from the north. Requests for help with emergency crisis payments rose by 34%, basic household items by 26%, and disability equipment and adaptations, by 25%. Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said:“UNISON Welfare has provided vital support to low-paid members throughout the economic crisis, but the demand is growing by the day. The Government needs to change its economic policies, before more people are pushed into poverty. “Our members are already struggling to cope with the pay freeze and the situation will only get worse, with inflation expected to go up to 5% by the end of the year. Many are struggling just to buy a school shirt for their child. “A huge increase in requests to our charity for bankruptcy support shows the severity of the situation. “The Government should abandon all talk of cutting the 50% tax rate and concentrate instead on closing the gap between those at the top and the bottom.”The school uniform grant is payable at £50 per child up to a maximum one off payment of £150. The small grants programme was introduced in 2010 with the launch of the Help with Winter Fuel Costs Grant, to help low paid members struggling to pay bills.*The union covers up to £700 in fees to the court to file for full bankruptcy, or £90 for a debt relief order, for debts of £15,000, or lower, after the member has fully qualified for assistance.
Friday, August 12, 2011
UNISON Mobilises for action at anti-cuts Festival
Artists will paint a real picture of the damage caused by public sector cuts at UNISON's Mobilise Festival in Edinburgh, alongside musicians, comedians and special guests.The festival against the Government's cuts, which runs from 13 to 20 August, will include daily debates, followed by live music and open mike slots. Highlights include the launch of Dave Anderson's new topical satire show, performances from Carol Ann Duffy, Poet Laureate, a public speaking workshop with renowned author Denise Mina and cartooning with the Guardian's Martin Rowson. Comedy performances featuring Susan Morrison, Vladimir McTavish, Steve Day, Lee Camp, Bruce Morton, Phil Differ and Robin Ince, are also on the agenda.The UK's largest union is opening up the majority of events to the public, although there are a limited number of places available. UNISON's Scottish Secretary, Mike Kirby, said:"Edinburgh is a festival city, but it is also on the brink of the largest council privatisation plan ever to hit Scotland. We know that this will have a devastating impact on local people who rely on these vital services and on the staff who provide them." Mobilise is about bringing people together to prepare for action. We must fight against the Government's savage public sector cuts and the Festival is a creative way to reach out and get more people involved in our campaign. "Mobilise is about celebrating high quality public services and fighting to keep them a priority."
Tickets are available at www.mobilisefestival.co.uk or 0131 226 0053 . For more festival information please contact Nancy Kelly on 07904 342230 or the UNISON Press Office - numbers above.
Artists will paint a real picture of the damage caused by public sector cuts at UNISON's Mobilise Festival in Edinburgh, alongside musicians, comedians and special guests.The festival against the Government's cuts, which runs from 13 to 20 August, will include daily debates, followed by live music and open mike slots. Highlights include the launch of Dave Anderson's new topical satire show, performances from Carol Ann Duffy, Poet Laureate, a public speaking workshop with renowned author Denise Mina and cartooning with the Guardian's Martin Rowson. Comedy performances featuring Susan Morrison, Vladimir McTavish, Steve Day, Lee Camp, Bruce Morton, Phil Differ and Robin Ince, are also on the agenda.The UK's largest union is opening up the majority of events to the public, although there are a limited number of places available. UNISON's Scottish Secretary, Mike Kirby, said:"Edinburgh is a festival city, but it is also on the brink of the largest council privatisation plan ever to hit Scotland. We know that this will have a devastating impact on local people who rely on these vital services and on the staff who provide them." Mobilise is about bringing people together to prepare for action. We must fight against the Government's savage public sector cuts and the Festival is a creative way to reach out and get more people involved in our campaign. "Mobilise is about celebrating high quality public services and fighting to keep them a priority."
Tickets are available at www.mobilisefestival.co.uk or 0131 226 0053 . For more festival information please contact Nancy Kelly on 07904 342230 or the UNISON Press Office - numbers above.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Library lottery plan holds communities to ransom
UNISON is warning that community groups are being held to ransom by Government plans, to force them to take over their libraries, or lose them. The plans will create a postcode lottery, with some communities doing without libraries altogether if groups fail to rise to the challenge. If contracts with charities also fail, private companies are ready to come in and clean up. The union has slammed plans set out in a report by the Local Government Association on the future of the library system*, for failing to protect the quality of the service.Heather Wakefield, UNISON's Head of Local Government, said:"The blueprint for libraries is gambling with a service so many rely on. "Community groups should not be forced into taking over services, as many will not have the capacity, or numbers to keep them going. This will lead to private companies getting their teeth into libraries in the long run, which could lead to charging.
"More than 30,000 children are leaving primary school with a reading age of seven or below - libraries are key to improving literacy, especially in deprived areas. They are also a vital lifeline for many, with reading clubs, job seeker support and homework groups. These services cannot be provided without skilled staff. "The Government must act to stop local authorities rushing through changes to services with no consultation. An investment in libraries is an investment in the future generation."
UNISON is warning that community groups are being held to ransom by Government plans, to force them to take over their libraries, or lose them. The plans will create a postcode lottery, with some communities doing without libraries altogether if groups fail to rise to the challenge. If contracts with charities also fail, private companies are ready to come in and clean up. The union has slammed plans set out in a report by the Local Government Association on the future of the library system*, for failing to protect the quality of the service.Heather Wakefield, UNISON's Head of Local Government, said:"The blueprint for libraries is gambling with a service so many rely on. "Community groups should not be forced into taking over services, as many will not have the capacity, or numbers to keep them going. This will lead to private companies getting their teeth into libraries in the long run, which could lead to charging.
"More than 30,000 children are leaving primary school with a reading age of seven or below - libraries are key to improving literacy, especially in deprived areas. They are also a vital lifeline for many, with reading clubs, job seeker support and homework groups. These services cannot be provided without skilled staff. "The Government must act to stop local authorities rushing through changes to services with no consultation. An investment in libraries is an investment in the future generation."
Tuesday, August 09, 2011
Huge gap in private sector pensions – UNISON response
UNISON, the UK’s largest union, called for pension fairness, as a study by the High Pay Commission revealed a huge inequality between the value of, and access to, pensions in the private sector. The study, out today (8 Aug), revealed that 97% of FTSE 350 company executive directors have a company-backed pension - compared to just one third of UK private sector workers. This means nearly 15 million private sector workers do not have access to a scheme to which their employer contributes. The average FTSE 100 lead executive with a final salary pension could expect to receive nearly £175,000 - completely dwarfing the £6,000 pension those private sector workers who are in a scheme can hope to receive. Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said: “This study shows just how unfair pensions provision is in this country. At the top of companies, nearly all directors have access to a pension to which their employer contributes. When they do retire, they’ll get a six figure pension. “Then at the bottom, two thirds of workers do not have a pension that their employer pays into. And the so-called ‘lucky’ ones that do will only get £6,000 a year when they retire. “Many of the most vocal critics of public sector pensions are the same company directors who are set to retire on a fortune. This is rank hypocrisy - employers need to understand the importance of decent pensions. “For all the private companies, who shirk their responsibilities to provide their workers with decent pension, it only increases the burden on the taxpayer.“The taxpayer ends up paying more in means tested benefits, and in increased take up of health and social care services.”
UNISON, the UK’s largest union, called for pension fairness, as a study by the High Pay Commission revealed a huge inequality between the value of, and access to, pensions in the private sector. The study, out today (8 Aug), revealed that 97% of FTSE 350 company executive directors have a company-backed pension - compared to just one third of UK private sector workers. This means nearly 15 million private sector workers do not have access to a scheme to which their employer contributes. The average FTSE 100 lead executive with a final salary pension could expect to receive nearly £175,000 - completely dwarfing the £6,000 pension those private sector workers who are in a scheme can hope to receive. Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said: “This study shows just how unfair pensions provision is in this country. At the top of companies, nearly all directors have access to a pension to which their employer contributes. When they do retire, they’ll get a six figure pension. “Then at the bottom, two thirds of workers do not have a pension that their employer pays into. And the so-called ‘lucky’ ones that do will only get £6,000 a year when they retire. “Many of the most vocal critics of public sector pensions are the same company directors who are set to retire on a fortune. This is rank hypocrisy - employers need to understand the importance of decent pensions. “For all the private companies, who shirk their responsibilities to provide their workers with decent pension, it only increases the burden on the taxpayer.“The taxpayer ends up paying more in means tested benefits, and in increased take up of health and social care services.”
Friday, August 05, 2011
The Tory council assault on unions
Unions are the biggest obstacle to the privatisation of services. No wonder Conservative councils want to stop paying conveners
Peter Lazenby
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 31 July 2011 09.00 BST
Local authorities spend billions on services such as refuse collection.
The government has opened a new front in its war on Britain's trade unions. It is attempting to wreck trade union organisation among hundreds of thousands of local authority workers by saddling unions with millions of pounds in costs.
The first evidence I saw of this came in Leeds, ironically in the week that Britain's labour movement marked the anniversary of the imprisonment of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, the six Dorset agricultural labourers who were transported to Australia in 1834 for swearing allegiance to a union.
Here's what is happening. Councils give union representatives – elected convenors or shop stewards – time to do their union work. It's called "time off for union duties". The work is the nuts and bolts of trades union activity, such as representing people at disciplinary and grievance hearings. Some of it fulfils people's statutory right to be represented.
Some convenors with thousands of members work full time on union duties, although they are employees of the councils, who pay their wages. For example in my city, Leeds, the secretary of the council branch of the public service union Unison, which has 8,000 members, is a social worker, but spends all his time on union duties.
It is in councils' interests to have such a system. It helps maintain smooth industrial relations. It avoids the disruption of pulling people off their jobs daily to represent colleagues. It provides a mechanism to solve potential disputes before they happen.
In Leeds, Conservative councillors are attempting to sabotage the arrangement by calling on the Labour-controlled council to stop paying the union convenors' wages, and make the unions find the money. There are 15 convenors. The Tories say stopping their pay would save Leeds council around £400,000, at a time when the council has to find £90m in cuts (cuts imposed by the Tories and their Lib-Dem supporters in government).
The proposal is accompanied by mealy-mouthed lip service to the "valuable role" played by trades unions, and reaffirming "reasonable support" for trades unions, including time off for union duties. But if implemented it would cripple the Leeds council unions' abilities to provide representation for their members.
At first I thought the plan might be a one-off from some ambitious, union-loathing Tory wanting to make a name for himself, and make life difficult for the unions. It isn't. It's happening across the country, with other Tory councillors making similar proposals or preparing the ground for them. The Tories are even targeting union organisation in police authorities. If successful, it would financially cripple public sector unions.
Local authorities spend billions of pounds a year in taxpayers' money to provide refuse collection, street cleaning, housing, old people's homes, state education and other services. Some Tories want the billions it costs to run these services handed to the profit-hungry private sector. Union organisation is the biggest single obstacle to this aim, so it has to be removed.
If the Tory strategy succeeds, remaining services in the public sector will be privatised and their provision will be motivated by profit, not people's needs. Dividends and bonuses will be the key factors in running our schools and old people's homes.
Margaret Thatcher recognised that organised labour was the biggest stumbling block confronting privatisation. Now David Cameron and his allies plan to finish the job of destroying union organisation.
In 1834 the Tolpuddle Martyrs were transported to Australia for organising collectively. Transportation may be a thing of the past. The Tories' determination to remove obstacles to private sector profit is not
Unions are the biggest obstacle to the privatisation of services. No wonder Conservative councils want to stop paying conveners
Peter Lazenby
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 31 July 2011 09.00 BST
Local authorities spend billions on services such as refuse collection.
The government has opened a new front in its war on Britain's trade unions. It is attempting to wreck trade union organisation among hundreds of thousands of local authority workers by saddling unions with millions of pounds in costs.
The first evidence I saw of this came in Leeds, ironically in the week that Britain's labour movement marked the anniversary of the imprisonment of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, the six Dorset agricultural labourers who were transported to Australia in 1834 for swearing allegiance to a union.
Here's what is happening. Councils give union representatives – elected convenors or shop stewards – time to do their union work. It's called "time off for union duties". The work is the nuts and bolts of trades union activity, such as representing people at disciplinary and grievance hearings. Some of it fulfils people's statutory right to be represented.
Some convenors with thousands of members work full time on union duties, although they are employees of the councils, who pay their wages. For example in my city, Leeds, the secretary of the council branch of the public service union Unison, which has 8,000 members, is a social worker, but spends all his time on union duties.
It is in councils' interests to have such a system. It helps maintain smooth industrial relations. It avoids the disruption of pulling people off their jobs daily to represent colleagues. It provides a mechanism to solve potential disputes before they happen.
In Leeds, Conservative councillors are attempting to sabotage the arrangement by calling on the Labour-controlled council to stop paying the union convenors' wages, and make the unions find the money. There are 15 convenors. The Tories say stopping their pay would save Leeds council around £400,000, at a time when the council has to find £90m in cuts (cuts imposed by the Tories and their Lib-Dem supporters in government).
The proposal is accompanied by mealy-mouthed lip service to the "valuable role" played by trades unions, and reaffirming "reasonable support" for trades unions, including time off for union duties. But if implemented it would cripple the Leeds council unions' abilities to provide representation for their members.
At first I thought the plan might be a one-off from some ambitious, union-loathing Tory wanting to make a name for himself, and make life difficult for the unions. It isn't. It's happening across the country, with other Tory councillors making similar proposals or preparing the ground for them. The Tories are even targeting union organisation in police authorities. If successful, it would financially cripple public sector unions.
Local authorities spend billions of pounds a year in taxpayers' money to provide refuse collection, street cleaning, housing, old people's homes, state education and other services. Some Tories want the billions it costs to run these services handed to the profit-hungry private sector. Union organisation is the biggest single obstacle to this aim, so it has to be removed.
If the Tory strategy succeeds, remaining services in the public sector will be privatised and their provision will be motivated by profit, not people's needs. Dividends and bonuses will be the key factors in running our schools and old people's homes.
Margaret Thatcher recognised that organised labour was the biggest stumbling block confronting privatisation. Now David Cameron and his allies plan to finish the job of destroying union organisation.
In 1834 the Tolpuddle Martyrs were transported to Australia for organising collectively. Transportation may be a thing of the past. The Tories' determination to remove obstacles to private sector profit is not
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Public sector pension talks jeopardised by naïve playground tactics
UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, today rounded on Government ministers for putting public sector pension talks in “jeopardy” by their ”naïve tactics” and apparent lack of negotiating skills. And called on them to abandon the playground games and get serious.He said: “We entered into the scheme specific talks on public sector pensions in good faith and we genuinely believe we are making progress, albeit slowly. But these talks are being put in jeopardy by the crude and naïve tactics of Government ministers who don’t seem to understand the word negotiate.“ The government must take its responsibilities seriously, and stop treating these talks like some kind of playground game.“Let’s not forget that these talks are about real people, hard-working individuals who signed up to, and pay into, a pension scheme that is supposed to cushion them against poverty in old age. Extra contributions won’t go back into the pension schemes, but straight to the Treasury to pay off the country’s deficit – effectively a tax on public sector workers to pay for the bankers’ mess. That is totally unjust. “It is totally unhelpful to the progress of these talks to release their bargaining position as though it is set in stone. If it is set in stone, then there is no point in having a single further meeting.” The union insists that any changes should be based on evidence and not political ideology. Average pension in local government is £4,000, but for women its just £2,800 (£56 a week) and in health its just £7,500, and £3,000 for women. Members of those schemes pay in between 5.5% and 7.5% of their salaries to save for their retirement. If they did not save, they would end up on means-tested benefits at a cost to taxpayers.Both the local government and the health schemes are cash rich and were renegotiated a few years ago to make them sustainable and affordable – longevity costs would be paid by the employee not the employer.The union argues that making people pay more, work longer for a smaller pension is unnecessary, unjust and unworkable. People will leave the schemes, if they become too expensive, and they will collapse.
UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, today rounded on Government ministers for putting public sector pension talks in “jeopardy” by their ”naïve tactics” and apparent lack of negotiating skills. And called on them to abandon the playground games and get serious.He said: “We entered into the scheme specific talks on public sector pensions in good faith and we genuinely believe we are making progress, albeit slowly. But these talks are being put in jeopardy by the crude and naïve tactics of Government ministers who don’t seem to understand the word negotiate.“ The government must take its responsibilities seriously, and stop treating these talks like some kind of playground game.“Let’s not forget that these talks are about real people, hard-working individuals who signed up to, and pay into, a pension scheme that is supposed to cushion them against poverty in old age. Extra contributions won’t go back into the pension schemes, but straight to the Treasury to pay off the country’s deficit – effectively a tax on public sector workers to pay for the bankers’ mess. That is totally unjust. “It is totally unhelpful to the progress of these talks to release their bargaining position as though it is set in stone. If it is set in stone, then there is no point in having a single further meeting.” The union insists that any changes should be based on evidence and not political ideology. Average pension in local government is £4,000, but for women its just £2,800 (£56 a week) and in health its just £7,500, and £3,000 for women. Members of those schemes pay in between 5.5% and 7.5% of their salaries to save for their retirement. If they did not save, they would end up on means-tested benefits at a cost to taxpayers.Both the local government and the health schemes are cash rich and were renegotiated a few years ago to make them sustainable and affordable – longevity costs would be paid by the employee not the employer.The union argues that making people pay more, work longer for a smaller pension is unnecessary, unjust and unworkable. People will leave the schemes, if they become too expensive, and they will collapse.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Southampton social care staff to strike
Over 450 UNISON and Unite members working in social care are set to strike on Wednesday 3 August as part of the continuing industrial action against pay cuts. The council had previously written to all staff informing them of their intention to sack them and rehire them on worse contracts.City-wide action so far has seen waste and recycling workers, street cleaners, library workers, Itchen toll bridge collectors, parking enforcement officers, contact supervisors (social care), vehicle mechanics, port health officers and building maintenance workers go on strike. Those on strike on Wednesday 3 August will be the whole of the safeguarding division and all of health and adult care apart from day services, home care, residential homes, meals on wheels and commissioning. Action on 3 August will begin with a rally at 11am in Guildhall Square. This will be followed at 12noon by a meeting for all social work staff. There will be picket lines at Marland House, Oakhill House, Herbert Collins House, Thomas Lewis House, Cannon Street offices and College Keep. On 4 August the City Council will be given seven days notice of areas in social work who will be on strike for a longer period. A further strike of all social work staff is planned for later in August.Strong support continues to be received by the branch from UNISON branches across the country. Regional manager Steve Brazier reported that the branch received a message of support and donation from the Shetland Islands UNISON branch as well as receiving an ongoing commitment from UNISON at a regional and national level to provide the financial resources needed to continue with the dispute. There will be a joint UNISON / Unite membership meeting on Wednesday 10 August at 12.30pm in Above Bar Church to decide the next steps in the campaign.
Over 450 UNISON and Unite members working in social care are set to strike on Wednesday 3 August as part of the continuing industrial action against pay cuts. The council had previously written to all staff informing them of their intention to sack them and rehire them on worse contracts.City-wide action so far has seen waste and recycling workers, street cleaners, library workers, Itchen toll bridge collectors, parking enforcement officers, contact supervisors (social care), vehicle mechanics, port health officers and building maintenance workers go on strike. Those on strike on Wednesday 3 August will be the whole of the safeguarding division and all of health and adult care apart from day services, home care, residential homes, meals on wheels and commissioning. Action on 3 August will begin with a rally at 11am in Guildhall Square. This will be followed at 12noon by a meeting for all social work staff. There will be picket lines at Marland House, Oakhill House, Herbert Collins House, Thomas Lewis House, Cannon Street offices and College Keep. On 4 August the City Council will be given seven days notice of areas in social work who will be on strike for a longer period. A further strike of all social work staff is planned for later in August.Strong support continues to be received by the branch from UNISON branches across the country. Regional manager Steve Brazier reported that the branch received a message of support and donation from the Shetland Islands UNISON branch as well as receiving an ongoing commitment from UNISON at a regional and national level to provide the financial resources needed to continue with the dispute. There will be a joint UNISON / Unite membership meeting on Wednesday 10 August at 12.30pm in Above Bar Church to decide the next steps in the campaign.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Lansley's surprise support for UNISON pensions campaign
UNISON’s campaign against the government’s pensions’ proposals got surprise backing this weekend from Health Secretary Andrew Lansley, after a letter he wrote to the Treasury was leaked to a national newspaper. In the letter, Andrew Lansley warns that the proposals are ‘inappropriate’ and ‘unrealistic’, and would hit women particularly hard. He reiterated one of the union’s big concerns, that putting contributions up would force people to leave the schemes and rely on benefits when they retire – storing up a massive bill for the taxpayer. Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said: “Even Tory ministers are waking up to how unjust, unreasonable and unworkable their own party’s proposals for public sector pensions are. Ever since the government came up with these plans, UNISON has been warning that people will leave the schemes if they are forced to pay more in contributions. “Health workers and local government staff already pay between five and eight percent of their salary into their pension. Stuck on a pay freeze and with inflation high, it would be impossible for many to afford more. “Paying into the pension scheme is the best way for workers to save for their retirement – the alternative is relying on means-tested benefits - at huge cost to the public purse.“The attack on pensions has nothing to do with affordability – it is based on ideology. Independent studies have shown the schemes are affordable and sustainable for the long term. In the health scheme, £2 billion more goes in than out every year. The Treasury would use any increase in revenue to plug the deficit – it will not go towards pensions.”
UNISON’s campaign against the government’s pensions’ proposals got surprise backing this weekend from Health Secretary Andrew Lansley, after a letter he wrote to the Treasury was leaked to a national newspaper. In the letter, Andrew Lansley warns that the proposals are ‘inappropriate’ and ‘unrealistic’, and would hit women particularly hard. He reiterated one of the union’s big concerns, that putting contributions up would force people to leave the schemes and rely on benefits when they retire – storing up a massive bill for the taxpayer. Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said: “Even Tory ministers are waking up to how unjust, unreasonable and unworkable their own party’s proposals for public sector pensions are. Ever since the government came up with these plans, UNISON has been warning that people will leave the schemes if they are forced to pay more in contributions. “Health workers and local government staff already pay between five and eight percent of their salary into their pension. Stuck on a pay freeze and with inflation high, it would be impossible for many to afford more. “Paying into the pension scheme is the best way for workers to save for their retirement – the alternative is relying on means-tested benefits - at huge cost to the public purse.“The attack on pensions has nothing to do with affordability – it is based on ideology. Independent studies have shown the schemes are affordable and sustainable for the long term. In the health scheme, £2 billion more goes in than out every year. The Treasury would use any increase in revenue to plug the deficit – it will not go towards pensions.”
Monday, July 25, 2011
Lack of private sector pensions will cost tax payer billions says UNISON
UNISON, the UK’s largest union, has called on the government to deal with the real pensions crisis - the alarming lack of private sector pension provision that will place a colossal burden onto the taxpayer. A shocking two-thirds of private sector employees – 15 million workers - are not in a workplace pension to which their employer contributes. This could mean they are forced to rely on benefit top ups paid for by the taxpayer when they retire. UNISON figures reveal that every worker locked out of saving for their retirement costs the taxpayer £15,000 – meaning a potential extra benefit bill running into hundreds of billions of pounds. The union is calling for decent pensions for all workers – in both public and private sectors. It also highlighted recent studies that have shown decisively that public sector schemes are affordable and sustainable for the long term. Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said: “It is shocking that two thirds of private sector workers are not in a workplace pension to which their employer contributes. These companies are shirking their responsibilities to their workers, pushing the burden onto the taxpayer. For every worker locked out of saving for their retirement, the taxpayer could get stung for billions more in benefit payments. “But instead of dealing with skinflint employers, the government shamelessly uses the lack of private sector pensions as a stick to beat public sector workers with. The latest round of attacks on public sector pensions is based on myths and ideology. Research by independent experts such as the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) prove the schemes are affordable and sustainable for the long-term. “And the government’s plans to auto-enrole workers into the NEST scheme will not go far enough. Unless we bring all pensions up to a decent level, we are running the risk of condemning a generation of people into poverty in their retirement – and a huge burden on the taxpayer.” *The possible cost to the taxpayer is over £15,000 for each worker that reaches retirement with just the state pension to rely on. This is based on the following calculation:
• For a single person, the Guaranteed Credit element of the Pension Credit is £132.60 a week.
• According to the “Interim Life Tables” produced by National Statistics, a male aged 65 today could reasonably expect to live for another 17.5 years – i.e. to 82.5.
• The average weekly state pension in payment (i.e. Basic State Pension plus S2P etc) in 08/09 was £116 a week.
This means that if everything remained constant and a person reached SPA with no or very limited private pension savings and an “average” state pension , the cost to the taxpayer of paying Pension Credit at a rate of £16.60 a week for the next 17.5 years would be £15,106 (i.e. 16.60* 52) * 17.5.
UNISON, the UK’s largest union, has called on the government to deal with the real pensions crisis - the alarming lack of private sector pension provision that will place a colossal burden onto the taxpayer. A shocking two-thirds of private sector employees – 15 million workers - are not in a workplace pension to which their employer contributes. This could mean they are forced to rely on benefit top ups paid for by the taxpayer when they retire. UNISON figures reveal that every worker locked out of saving for their retirement costs the taxpayer £15,000 – meaning a potential extra benefit bill running into hundreds of billions of pounds. The union is calling for decent pensions for all workers – in both public and private sectors. It also highlighted recent studies that have shown decisively that public sector schemes are affordable and sustainable for the long term. Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said: “It is shocking that two thirds of private sector workers are not in a workplace pension to which their employer contributes. These companies are shirking their responsibilities to their workers, pushing the burden onto the taxpayer. For every worker locked out of saving for their retirement, the taxpayer could get stung for billions more in benefit payments. “But instead of dealing with skinflint employers, the government shamelessly uses the lack of private sector pensions as a stick to beat public sector workers with. The latest round of attacks on public sector pensions is based on myths and ideology. Research by independent experts such as the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) prove the schemes are affordable and sustainable for the long-term. “And the government’s plans to auto-enrole workers into the NEST scheme will not go far enough. Unless we bring all pensions up to a decent level, we are running the risk of condemning a generation of people into poverty in their retirement – and a huge burden on the taxpayer.” *The possible cost to the taxpayer is over £15,000 for each worker that reaches retirement with just the state pension to rely on. This is based on the following calculation:
• For a single person, the Guaranteed Credit element of the Pension Credit is £132.60 a week.
• According to the “Interim Life Tables” produced by National Statistics, a male aged 65 today could reasonably expect to live for another 17.5 years – i.e. to 82.5.
• The average weekly state pension in payment (i.e. Basic State Pension plus S2P etc) in 08/09 was £116 a week.
This means that if everything remained constant and a person reached SPA with no or very limited private pension savings and an “average” state pension , the cost to the taxpayer of paying Pension Credit at a rate of £16.60 a week for the next 17.5 years would be £15,106 (i.e. 16.60* 52) * 17.5.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Government statement on pensions - UNISON response
The Government’s statement, laid in the House of Commons yesterday, outlining its position on public sector pensions is merely that - it is not a statement of the trade union side position. Our position is outlined in a letter sent to Danny Alexander, on behalf of all unions by TUC General Secretary, Brendan Barber, and is copied below. All the unions and professional organisations are now in their relevant scheme specific talks to make sure that our pension rights are protected. Our aim is to get a final offer so that members can see whether or not their pension schemes will be maintained or reduced. We expect these talks to be serious and any proposed changes must be based on clear evidence and not simply an excuse to find money to pay off the country’s financial deficit.The TUC will be co-ordinating the timetable and the talks will take place over the coming months and are scheduled to conclude by the end of October. In the meantime, we are accelerating our planning of future industrial action strategy so that we can move quickly and effectively, should those talks fail.Brendan Barber’s letter to Danny Alexander Dear DannyThank you for your letter of today’s date setting out the Government's view on the state of play reached in our negotiations and proposing that our discussions should continue both in the central process and by opening up scheme by scheme discussions.As your letter reports in paragraph 3 a number of areas of agreement have been identified and we have agreed language on equality impacts, participation rates and opt outs, and scheme governance and administration. A number of practical issues arising from paragraph 11 on local government need further consideration and I will write to you separately on this.As you also know however significant differences remain on key issues and at this stage to avoid any risk of misunderstanding I need to make it clear that (contrary to the introduction to paragraph 12) we have not agreed to or accepted any of the Government’s objectives as described in your letter, or the change in indexation from RPI to CPI. Nevertheless, following a meeting of our PSLG, I am able to confirm that we are prepared to continue our discussions at central level and unions individually in each sector will be actively considering participating in scheme level talks in order to fully explore all the issues and to enable unions and their members to reach a judgement on whether agreement is possible or whether more unions will enter into dispute and plan industrial action. Yours sincerely
The Government’s statement, laid in the House of Commons yesterday, outlining its position on public sector pensions is merely that - it is not a statement of the trade union side position. Our position is outlined in a letter sent to Danny Alexander, on behalf of all unions by TUC General Secretary, Brendan Barber, and is copied below. All the unions and professional organisations are now in their relevant scheme specific talks to make sure that our pension rights are protected. Our aim is to get a final offer so that members can see whether or not their pension schemes will be maintained or reduced. We expect these talks to be serious and any proposed changes must be based on clear evidence and not simply an excuse to find money to pay off the country’s financial deficit.The TUC will be co-ordinating the timetable and the talks will take place over the coming months and are scheduled to conclude by the end of October. In the meantime, we are accelerating our planning of future industrial action strategy so that we can move quickly and effectively, should those talks fail.Brendan Barber’s letter to Danny Alexander Dear DannyThank you for your letter of today’s date setting out the Government's view on the state of play reached in our negotiations and proposing that our discussions should continue both in the central process and by opening up scheme by scheme discussions.As your letter reports in paragraph 3 a number of areas of agreement have been identified and we have agreed language on equality impacts, participation rates and opt outs, and scheme governance and administration. A number of practical issues arising from paragraph 11 on local government need further consideration and I will write to you separately on this.As you also know however significant differences remain on key issues and at this stage to avoid any risk of misunderstanding I need to make it clear that (contrary to the introduction to paragraph 12) we have not agreed to or accepted any of the Government’s objectives as described in your letter, or the change in indexation from RPI to CPI. Nevertheless, following a meeting of our PSLG, I am able to confirm that we are prepared to continue our discussions at central level and unions individually in each sector will be actively considering participating in scheme level talks in order to fully explore all the issues and to enable unions and their members to reach a judgement on whether agreement is possible or whether more unions will enter into dispute and plan industrial action. Yours sincerely
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Shropshire Council could avoid pay cut
UNISON figures show that Shropshire Council has an alternative to sacking 6,500 of its staff and re-hiring them with a pay cut. The Conservative council has sent letters to all 6,500 of its staff saying that they will be dismissed on September 30 and re-hired the next day - if they agree to a 5.4% pay cut and changes to sick pay. Shropshire Council claims it needs to save £76m by 2013/14 and is demanding that £7m is found by workers taking a pay cut of 2.7%, from October 2011, and 2.7%, from October 2012. This is at a time when council workers have had their pay frozen for the last 2 years. The UKs largest union which is currently balloting members on industrial action has revealed an alternative approach the council should use to protect services and workers. Dave Prentis, UNISONs General Secretary, said: The council is letting hardworking council staff and the people who rely on vital local services take a hit with these cuts, when there is a viable alternative. Plans to force staff to accept another huge cut, or lose their jobs, will see many families struggle to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads.Our plan would save the devastating impact of the pay cut - the council must not press on with plans to cut pay without considering our figures.UNISONs alternative budget for Shropshire: Shropshires council tax income grew by almost £1.3m this year (2011/12) - not because council tax went up but because there were more council taxpayers. However, Shropshire Council is assuming no growth in the taxbase between now and 2014/15.Shropshire is a new unitary authority and wants to equalise council tax levels downwards. UNISON has identified that it will cost £1.6m. A fairer approach would be for the council tax equalisation process to raise the same amount of money. The council thought it was going to get £1m from the New Homes Bonus. In fact it received nearly £1.8m, this and the extra money it will get from 2012 onwards, does not appear to be budgeted for.The council is assuming that it will freeze Council Tax until 2014/15. If Council Tax increased by just 1.5% per annum - less than 32p a week for 66% of council taxpayers - Shropshire would have an extra £5.5m in 2013/14.
UNISON figures show that Shropshire Council has an alternative to sacking 6,500 of its staff and re-hiring them with a pay cut. The Conservative council has sent letters to all 6,500 of its staff saying that they will be dismissed on September 30 and re-hired the next day - if they agree to a 5.4% pay cut and changes to sick pay. Shropshire Council claims it needs to save £76m by 2013/14 and is demanding that £7m is found by workers taking a pay cut of 2.7%, from October 2011, and 2.7%, from October 2012. This is at a time when council workers have had their pay frozen for the last 2 years. The UKs largest union which is currently balloting members on industrial action has revealed an alternative approach the council should use to protect services and workers. Dave Prentis, UNISONs General Secretary, said: The council is letting hardworking council staff and the people who rely on vital local services take a hit with these cuts, when there is a viable alternative. Plans to force staff to accept another huge cut, or lose their jobs, will see many families struggle to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads.Our plan would save the devastating impact of the pay cut - the council must not press on with plans to cut pay without considering our figures.UNISONs alternative budget for Shropshire: Shropshires council tax income grew by almost £1.3m this year (2011/12) - not because council tax went up but because there were more council taxpayers. However, Shropshire Council is assuming no growth in the taxbase between now and 2014/15.Shropshire is a new unitary authority and wants to equalise council tax levels downwards. UNISON has identified that it will cost £1.6m. A fairer approach would be for the council tax equalisation process to raise the same amount of money. The council thought it was going to get £1m from the New Homes Bonus. In fact it received nearly £1.8m, this and the extra money it will get from 2012 onwards, does not appear to be budgeted for.The council is assuming that it will freeze Council Tax until 2014/15. If Council Tax increased by just 1.5% per annum - less than 32p a week for 66% of council taxpayers - Shropshire would have an extra £5.5m in 2013/14.
Monday, July 11, 2011
11/07/2011
Southampton council cuts pay while piling £4.2m into reserves
Figures released by UNISON today (11 July) reveal that Southampton City Council is claiming it is being forced to impose a pay cut on its workforce due to a lack of resources. At the same time the council is telling the Government it expects to pile more than £4m into its reserves. The council told the Government in March that it expected its reserves to have risen by £4.2m from 1 April 2011, compared with the previous year. Today council workers are striking over plans to sack staff who refuse to accept inferior jobs and pay cuts.According to the statement of accounts, the council added £2.940m to reserves in 2008/9 and £4.533m in 2009/10. A leaked council report shows that the council plans to axe a quarter of the workforce, at an expense to taxpayers of £15m. Hundreds of Southampton workers have taken action over the last six weeks, including refuse collectors and social workers in response to the planned imposition of a pay cut. From today (11 July) port health officers will join the strike. They provide health protection within Southampton Port and Oil refinery, through inspection and certification of cruise liners, containers and oil tankers. Dave Prentis, UNISON’s General Secretary, said:“The council has painted a bleak picture to employees, at the same time as giving the Government figures showing they expect the reserves to rocket. “Pay cuts and job losses will pile misery on to thousands of council workers and their families, at a time of rising inflation. It is clear that these punitive measures are just not necessary.“We are calling for the council to put a stop to these savage cuts.”Every year local authorities are required to provide detailed information to the Department of Communities and Local Government about their budgets, which estimate the levels of their reserves.UNISON has examined the 2010 and 2011 RA returns supplied by Southampton Council, which show:· Estimated unallocated financial reserves increased by £2,326,000· Estimated earmarked other financial reserves increased by £1,870,000When Southampton City Council set its budget this year (2011/12) it was based on the assumption that the unallocated financial reserves were falling – the figures suggets a different picture. (Extract from the 2011/12 Southampton City Council Budget Report - ‘The original revenue estimates for 2010/11 assumed a general draw from balances of just under £3.5m. After reflecting the revised forecast position from Month 9, this draw reduces by £1.1m, to just under £2.4m’.)
Southampton council cuts pay while piling £4.2m into reserves
Figures released by UNISON today (11 July) reveal that Southampton City Council is claiming it is being forced to impose a pay cut on its workforce due to a lack of resources. At the same time the council is telling the Government it expects to pile more than £4m into its reserves. The council told the Government in March that it expected its reserves to have risen by £4.2m from 1 April 2011, compared with the previous year. Today council workers are striking over plans to sack staff who refuse to accept inferior jobs and pay cuts.According to the statement of accounts, the council added £2.940m to reserves in 2008/9 and £4.533m in 2009/10. A leaked council report shows that the council plans to axe a quarter of the workforce, at an expense to taxpayers of £15m. Hundreds of Southampton workers have taken action over the last six weeks, including refuse collectors and social workers in response to the planned imposition of a pay cut. From today (11 July) port health officers will join the strike. They provide health protection within Southampton Port and Oil refinery, through inspection and certification of cruise liners, containers and oil tankers. Dave Prentis, UNISON’s General Secretary, said:“The council has painted a bleak picture to employees, at the same time as giving the Government figures showing they expect the reserves to rocket. “Pay cuts and job losses will pile misery on to thousands of council workers and their families, at a time of rising inflation. It is clear that these punitive measures are just not necessary.“We are calling for the council to put a stop to these savage cuts.”Every year local authorities are required to provide detailed information to the Department of Communities and Local Government about their budgets, which estimate the levels of their reserves.UNISON has examined the 2010 and 2011 RA returns supplied by Southampton Council, which show:· Estimated unallocated financial reserves increased by £2,326,000· Estimated earmarked other financial reserves increased by £1,870,000When Southampton City Council set its budget this year (2011/12) it was based on the assumption that the unallocated financial reserves were falling – the figures suggets a different picture. (Extract from the 2011/12 Southampton City Council Budget Report - ‘The original revenue estimates for 2010/11 assumed a general draw from balances of just under £3.5m. After reflecting the revised forecast position from Month 9, this draw reduces by £1.1m, to just under £2.4m’.)
Wednesday, July 06, 2011
Shropshire council sacks all staff
(06/07/2011) UNISON members in Shropshire are considering balloting for industrial action after the council sent letters to all 6,500 of its staff, sacking them and saying that it will re-hire them - if they agree to a pay cut.The council says that staff who do not agree to the moves will be dismissed without any compensation.The move came after talks between the union and the Conservative council failed to produce any agreement.UNISON spokesman Alan James told the BBC: "We are advising our members to write into the authority refusing the new contracts and do nothing with the proposals which have arrived through the letter box."We have some time on this and I think the authority has gone about this the wrong way."And he continued: "People are scared and intimidated by the tone of the letter and the way it's been delivered by the authority."
(06/07/2011) UNISON members in Shropshire are considering balloting for industrial action after the council sent letters to all 6,500 of its staff, sacking them and saying that it will re-hire them - if they agree to a pay cut.The council says that staff who do not agree to the moves will be dismissed without any compensation.The move came after talks between the union and the Conservative council failed to produce any agreement.UNISON spokesman Alan James told the BBC: "We are advising our members to write into the authority refusing the new contracts and do nothing with the proposals which have arrived through the letter box."We have some time on this and I think the authority has gone about this the wrong way."And he continued: "People are scared and intimidated by the tone of the letter and the way it's been delivered by the authority."
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