Unite announces historic mobilisation of members to defend public
sector pensions
26 October 2011
Unite, Britain's biggest union, will begin issuing ballot papers
today (Wednesday 26 October) to approximately 160,000 public sector
workers as the biggest ever mobilisation of its members gets
underway as it battles to defend public sector pensions.
The Unite ballot opens from today and will close on Wednesday 16
November.
A 'yes' vote will see Unite members take a day of industrial
action on 30 November as part of the national day of action against
pension cuts.
The union is in dispute with government over its impositions
which could see the majority of public sector workers having to pay
50 per cent more into their pensions to earn a pension in the
future which will be worth 50 per cent less. The proposals will
also force them to work for much longer in order to be able to
afford to retire, as any retirement before their higher state
pension ages will be heavily penalised.
In Scotland, the imposed contribution increase has been delayed
for local authority workers for the next two years in a deal with
the Scottish government. However, with the retirement age extended
and the RPI to CPI change still being imposed by Westminster on all
Scottish public sector workers, Unite is warning Scotand's public
sector workers they will also have to work longer for less.
Unite represents the broadest range of occupations within the
public sector of any union in the UK and encompasses several
professional bodies. Members can be found in the NHS, local
government, the Ministry of Defence (MoD), further education,
government departments and also in not-for-profit organisations
where many workers still belong to public sector pension
schemes.
It encompasses workers ranging from health visitors,
pharmacists, blood service staff to local authority refuse
collectors and electricians. Unite also represents workers
maintaining MoD bases, workers at the Environment Agency, animal
welfare organisations, the Royal Mint and advice, guidance and
legal centres.
Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said: "This is a historic
call to public sector workers from a multitude of professions and
skills, and across the four countries of this nation, to join
forces and say to the government 'enough is enough'. The government
is seeking to impose swingeing cuts in our members' pensions and
refusing to negotiate meaningfully on any reasonable
compromises.
"With the future dignity of millions of workers in retirement
threatened, it is time to make a stand and vote yes for action on
November 30.
"Public sector workers' pay has been frozen while the cost of
living soars. They face widespread redundancies, cuts and closures
and now the government is coming for their pensions.
"Most public sector pensions pay less than £5,600, with many of
our members getting far less than that after years of dedicated
public service. Women working in the public sector will be worst
hit by the government's plans because they make up the majority of
the workforce with many on low pay. Half of all women working in
the public sector retire on a pension less than £4,000 a year.
"For months we have struggled to persuade ministers that a fair
arrangement can be reached through negotiation and we will continue
to do so. Unfortunately, ministers have refused to listen. They
remain intent on forcing through their proposals. It is time to
stand up and be counted in defence of public sector pensions."
ENDS
Contacts: Unite press office - 0203 371 2065 or Pauline Doyle on
07976 832 861, Ciaran Naidoo on 07768 931 315 or Shaun Noble on
07768 931 940
