Pension talks as strikes put on hold

Unions plan to suspend strike action over changes to the local government pension scheme and enter detailed negotiations with council chiefs.

In a joint statement last week, the Local Government Association and all the unions covered by the scheme said urgent negotiations would look at developing a “good quality, sustainable and affordable” new-look pension scheme.

An estimated one million local government staff, including social workers and family court workers, went on strike last month over the government’s plans to remove the 85-year rule, which allows pension scheme members to retire at 60 if their age and years of service total 85 (Unions and councils row over strike, 30 March).

Unions are particularly angry that the government has allowed other public sector workers, including teachers, to retain the right under their pension schemes.

Negotiations will also address how 50 per cent of the savings made from abolishing the 85-year rule will feed into a new scheme.