News

Four of the five public sector unions pressing for a strike over government changes to their pension scheme have voted between 73 per cent and 87 per cent in favour of action today, writes Maria Ahmed.

The ballot results from Amicus, T & G, Ucatt and UNISON could lead to an initial one-day strike in councils across the UK on March 23 unless an agreement with the government can be reached,

Ballots for GMB, the fifth union involved, are still being collected.

The unions are still in talks with deputy prime minister John Prescott to try and reach an agreement over plans to raise the retirement age for public sector workers to 65 from April 1 this year.

The government also plans to raise the minimum age at which a pension can be paid except for ill health from 50 to 55.

The unions, which represent 1.4 million employees today described the talks last night with Prescott and national employers as “constructive”.

Progress was made and further talks will go ahead early next week.

Research by the unions has shown that many pension funds are in deficit, largely as a result of pension holidays taken by some councils in the early 1990's.  

The unions issued a joint statement today.

UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis said: "Our members who have paid their pension contributions week in, week out are very angry and are not prepared to accept changes by diktat. The average local government pension is just £3,800 a year - not a 'fat cat' sum.  Low pay within councils means low pensions.”

Jack Dromey, T&G Deputy General Secretary, said: "T&G members have voted by a massive 84% majority to say no. Government and local government should now sit down with the trade unions to negotiate a sensible solution which ensures the long-term viability of a good pension scheme."