Trade union calls for pensions parity

Unison has called on deputy prime minister John Prescott to offer local government staff the same pensions deal that has been granted to the rest of the public sector.

The Department of Trade and Industry agreed with unions this week that existing workers in health, education and the civil service can continue to retire at 60. New workers will normally retire at 65 but will be able to retire at 60 in exchange for increased contributions.

But unions have yet to strike a deal with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, which is handling the issue of local government pensions.