Scottish Labour backs UNISON pension call

UNISON's delegation to the Scottish Labour Party Conference successfully got a decision from the Conference in favour of suspending the attacks on local government pension age.

In a motion that was carried unanimously the conference called on all parties 'to enter into a constructive and meaningful dialogue to promote a positive pensions agenda.'

Michelle Brankin (UNISON NEC) compared the pensions of the boss of Rentokil - Sir Clive Thomson - at £734,000 a year with that of the average local Government worker at £3,800 per year. Moving the motion she said the reasoning behind the changes was flawed.

"The Government says it must raise the Pension Age because we are living longer," she said.

"But this very much depends on your social class.

"The lifespan of a hospital cleaner did not improve at all between 1972 and 1999, and the lifespan of a male caretaker only improved by 1.5 years.

"Of the 10 local authority areas with the worst lifespan rates for men, eight of these are in Scotland."

She called for a positive agenda to encourage workers to work longer:-

• better action to reduce stress

• better work-life balance and flexible working

• ending low pay

• better occupational health policies; and

• tougher action to clamp down on age discrimination.

Conference agreed unanimously.

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