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Date: Tue 28 Feb 2006
UNISON calls for pensions rethink
Matt Smith, Scottish Secretary of UNISON Scotland's public service
union will urge Scottish members of the Local Government Pension
Scheme(LGPS) to vote for industrial action over attacks on their
pension rights today (Tuesday). He will also urge the Scottish Executive,
and the UK government not to proceed with unilateral plans to attack
the pensions of low-paid LGPS members
Speaking at the AGM of the union¹s Dundee City branch today, Matt
Smith will say
"At this last weekend¹s Labour Party Conference, Tom McCabe
gave a commitment to test his legal advice again in the face of
an overwhelming vote of support from the party. That legal advice
has not been made public, and government claims that the changes
are needed by European legislation are denied by an EU spokesperson.
"We now need an overwhelming vote in favour of industrial action
from our LGPS members, to show governments both north and south
of the border the huge depth of resentment this is creating in
loyal public servants.²
The union is balloting over 100,000 members across the public services
in Scotland; the LGPS covers staff working for the police and fire
service, Scotland¹s colleges and some staff in universities, Scottish
Water, SEPA and other central agencies and the community and voluntary
sector, as well as local authorities. The ballot is currently taking
place across the UK and is due to finish on 10 March. Ballots are
also underway in other unions with affected members the T&GWU,
GMB, UCATT and others.
Matt Smith will be speaking at the AGM of the Dundee City Branch,
which takes place in the Marryat Hall, City Square, Dundee at 5.30pm
on Tuesday Feb 28. There will also be a meeting at lunch time -
12.20 to 2.00pm. The meetings will also debate difficulties surrounding
equal pay and single status and this years pay claim.
Rory Malone, UNISON¹s Dundee City Branch Secretary said
"There is discrimination here, discrimination against low paid
LGPS members, who are the only public sector staff NOT to have a
guarantee to retain early retirement on an unreduced pension. The
LGPS is part of the contract that members accepted when they joined
local government they are angry that a unilateral attack on their
pay and conditions is to be imposed despite there being little
or no justification. We fully expect a large YES vote."
ENDS
For Further Information Please Contact:
Matt Smith (Scottish Secretary) 0845 355 0845(w) 07771 548 997(m)
Ray Russell (Comms Officer Dundee Br) 07946 170780(m)
Chris Bartter (Communications Officer) 0845 355 0845(w) 0771 558
3729(m)
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