Unison: Public sector pension talks jeopardised by naïve playground tactics :United action now

Here's an idea let's show them that we know how to negotiate and show our strength by announcing our ballot timetable! Coordinated with the other unions of course.

Whilst the move to sector specific negotiations is clearly being used as a divide and rule by this Government, we as trade unions can still refuse to let them divide us and move into action to defend our pensions together.

The move to sector specific doesn't stop this being an attack on pensions in the whole of the public sector - work longer, pay more and get less for every public sector worker in a pension scheme.

We could still see strike action in (late) Autumn if unison now takes the lead and "steps up a gear" as our General Secretary Dave Prentis promised he would at conference.

Individual trade disputes in each pension scheme with the relevant Secretaries of State on any one of the contribution increases, retirement ages, uprating and private sector membership could see united action.

The longer we leave it the more demoralised our members become.

Conference sent a clear message from delegates as well as the Gen Sec and top table that we need and are up for united action to defend pensions.

Now is the time to act.

From : http://ow.ly/5Pg02

28/07/2011
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.

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