UNISON pledges support for fight against cuts in public service jobs

Mike Kirby Scottish Convenor of UNISONScotland, will tell the Anti Cuts Rally in Dunfermline today (Sat) that Scotland's largest union supports its civil service colleagues in their fight against cuts in jobs.

In a separate statement, Dave Prentis, UNISON's General Secretary has also pledged the union's support for a united response to the Government's proposals to attack public sector pensions, including industrial action if needed.

At the rally in Dunfermline, after the demonstration called by the PCS, Mike will say: "I bring support from UNISON and the STUC. As unions representing public service workers we all seem to be under attack from a government which threatens the jobs and pensions of those who work in public services."

"It is cheap electoral politics to try and shoot the Tories' fox with a Dutch auction over essential public services and our members jobs and livelihoods. These proposals will do nothing to address problems of recruitment and retention in the public services, where money is being paid to private firms and shareholders through PFI schemes."

He called on the Scottish Executive to clarify their intentions behind the so-called 'efficiency savings' and pledged joint action through the STUC to keep the pressure on Scottish Ministers.

"Efficiency will not be achieved by cutting the jobs of those who deliver services." He said, "We need to increase resources and pay to secure staff. Currently £5.8bn is being wasted on PFI/PPP schemes. This sum dwarfs any savings targets set by Ministers."

Proposals to cut pension scheme provisions across the public services also came under attack from the UK union's General Secretary. Speaking before a joint meeting on Monday in London, Dave Prentis said

"Make no mistake - we will not sit back and allow them to tear our members' pensions to shreds. Today's meeting will decide on a united response. There is no time to waste and we will start consulting our members in Local Government about the possibility of industrial action next year."

ENDS

Note For Editors and Picture Desks: The PCS March will lead off from the public park at the foot of Viewfield Terrace, Dunfermline at 11.30am on Saturday 11 Dec. The Rally will be in the Queen Anne High School, Broomhead, Dunfermline at 12 noon. For Further Information Please Contact: Mike Kirby (Scottish Convenor) 07803 952 261(m) Chris Bartter (Communications Officer): 07715 583 729(m)

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