Local Government Service Group Conference
19-20 June 2011
Pensions: We need to be ready to fight
 |
|
Stephanie Herd
|
19 June: As even Michael Portillo was saying that Danny
Alexander’s pensions comments were ‘provocative’ while talks were
still going on, UNISON Local Government delegates backed a 13
point campaign to defend our pension scheme.
General Secretary Dave Prentis a few minutes later on BBC warned
that unless the government was prepared to negotiate in good faith,
it faced major industrial action. “Our members care for people...
they don’t take industrial action lightly but they are being backed
into a corner by this government”, he said.
Workers were being asked to pay double for less while the money
was going to the Treasury, not the pension fund.
A theme taken up earlier by Scotland’s Stephanie Herd as she
asked the Conference, “Is it fair that we should have to pay more,
worker longer and get less?”
“It is a cash grab from our members’ wages at a time when most
of us have not had a pay increase”, she said.
“Is it fair that our retired members who have paid contributions
all their working lives now face a 15% cut in pension due to the
change from RPI to CPI?”
Ridiculing and wishing “eternal quarantine for the thieving ginger
tom cat” that is Danny Alexander, Head of Local Government Heather
Wakefield made it clear that we not only intend, but “will defend
our pensions”.
Condemning the “virus of lies” spread in the media about the
LGPS Jonathon Sedgebeer on (SGE) called for the same spirit as
shown on March 26th across the country in defence of our deferred
wages and the future of the schemes.
One after another, delegates urged activists to ensure that when
we have to go on strike we are well prepared and “bring the country
to a standstill and the government to its senses”.
Stephanie also slammed plans which would see people lose pension
protection if they are privatised.
“In Scotland we are waiting to see what the Scottish Government
intends to do”, explained Stephanie. UNISON will argue that the
Scottish Government does not have to implement all of the UK plans.
“Scottish schemes already have a progressive contribution scheme.
Our funds are financially stable”, she said.
“We should be ready to build resistance against attacks that
will only benefit the Tory toffs, not working people and our members
young and old.
“We need to be ready to fight. We will fight!”.
top
|
