Joint union statement on public sector pensions
2 November 2011
Joint union statement from the Public Sector Liaison
Group (PSLG) following proposals made by the government to the TUC
negotiating team on public sector pensions
At the meeting earlier today (2 November) Danny Alexander and
Francis Maude outlined a number of new proposals to the TUC
negotiating team, including an improvement in the proposed accrual
rates within the major public service schemes compared to their
previous position, and new proposed transitional protections for
those closest to retirement. They also indicated a long term
commitment to any agreed reforms not being re-opened within the
next 25 years.
PSLG welcomed this movement in the government's position which
has come as a direct result of the strength of feeling and
determination shown by public sector workers and the groundswell of
support for the TUC's day of action at the end of this month. These
proposals, and their detailed implications for the pensions offer
within each scheme, will now need to be considered in detail within
the sector specific negotiations, alongside all the other issues
including proposed contribution increases, increases in the pension
age, and the impact of the indexation change from the RPI to CPI on
which the government's position remains unchanged.
All the unions have indicated throughout this process their
determination to reach a negotiated settlement on all these issues.
That remains the position and the unions will engage intensively in
the coming weeks. But unless and until further real progress is
made and acceptable offers are made within those negotiations,
unions remain firmly committed to continuing their preparations for
the planned day of action on November 30.
A further meeting of the PSLG will be held in November to
consider reports on any progress made within the sector talks.
ENDS
