Tuesday 10 January 2012

Very Important - Next Steps in the Pensions Battle

Please see this brief report from PCS Left Unity conference on organising to continue the struggle against pension 'reforms' (work longer, pay more, get less) -

www.socialistparty.org.uk/articles/13440/08-01-2012/organising-to-step-up-the-pensions-struggle

And video of speech by Mark Serwotka: www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDmeTAu2HwY

Summary of the proposed offer: www.socialistparty.org.uk/articles/13377/21-12-2011/why-you-should-reject-the-pensions-deal-the-facts-for-workers-across-the-public-sector

Since then, Unite Local Government have rejected the offer. UNISON Local Government executive voted 24 - 10 to accept, this means they have agreed to accept the framework agreement which strips £900m from the scheme, as the basis for talks. Higher Education voted 6-5 in favour.

It is important to plan special conferences where the members can overturn the leadership decision.

Wording required from branches to call a special local government conference:

"This Branch requisitions a Special Conference of the Local Government Service Group to consider the policy of the Service Group in relation to the Local Government Pension Scheme."

Only this wording must be used nothing else no add ons or anything. Need to get branches representing 25% membership of each sector group. For other service groups delete local government and insert name of service group. To be sent to Heather Wakefield and Chris Tansley at UNISON HQ. Deadline is eight weeks from the first one being submitted, so eight weeks from now effectively.

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