Pension victory for local government workers

The new Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) has been endorsed by members by a overwhelming 25 to 1 ballot majority.

The new scheme, negotiated between CoSLA, the Scottish Public Pensions Agency and local government unions led by UNISON, retains most of the benefits of the existing scheme, such as remaining a final salary scheme, and improves on elements such as the accrual rate - up from 80ths to 60ths each year - and its extension to cover cohabiting couples as well as married couples and those in civil partnerships.

Although workers' contributions will increase overall, a new system means that the lower paid will end up paying less. Mike Kirby, UNISON's Scottish Convenor said, "We welcome this comprehensive vote of confidence in the new scheme that UNISON has been instrumental in delivering.

"It is clear from the improvements that have been achieved, that it is possible to maintain, and improve a decent final salary scheme, which is fair to both employers and employees, provides a decent level of pension and is sustainable in overall cost.

"It is an object lesson to those directors in the private sector who shout about the need to cut staff pensions whilst maintaining their own gold-plated pensions, that with fair contributions from both employees and employers, it IS still possible to offer decent pension options, pensions that can be an incentive to attract the valuable staff required to deliver quality public services."

In a new development UNISON application forms were included in the ballot for members to pass on to colleagues. These have shown a healthy return, with around a hundred returned so far, as the new scheme demonstrates how important an effective union can be in defending and improving conditions.

The LGPS in Scotland covers over 220,000 staff across a large variety of employers. In addition to Local Councils, many members work for colleges, universities, police and fire services, Scottish Water, Careers Scotland, and the community and voluntary sector. UNISON members voted by 25,008 to 1,121 in a 25% turn out to accept the new scheme.

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