Unison members back strike action over pensions

Unison members today voted in favour of taking strike action over plans to reform public sector pensions.

More than 315,000 of union’s members took part in the ballot and just over 245,000 gave their support to a walk out.

Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison, said: “The decisive yes vote reflects the deep concern that our members have over government ministers’ proposals for their pensions. Yesterday’s statement in Parliament was a marked improvement on earlier proposals, but it is important to understand that the statement has to be translated into offers in the scheme specific talks.”

The strike action is set to take place on 30 November, the TUC’s Day of Action against plans to reform public sector pensions. Unison’s lay officers are currently meeting to decide what action to take as a result of the ballot.

Sir Merrick Cockell, chairman of the Local Government Association, called the vote “regrettable” and said it could put the delivery of vital services at risk: “We urge the leaders of Unison to think twice before going ahead with this unnecessary industrial action, particularly as only 29% of their membership chose to vote.”

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