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Thursday, July 13, 2006

Local Government Pensions - report to UNISON NEC

The UNISON National Executive Council (NEC) on 12 July received a report on current developments in relation to both the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and the National Health Service Pension Scheme.

In relation to the LGPS dispute, we were told that it could be two to three months until UNISON’s application for judicial review is heard in the courts. A further round of negotiations is to take place with the employers and the Government, to address both the “new” (post 2008) scheme and improved protection for existing members of the current scheme.

The Joint Union Strike Team (JUST) have now agreed that there would be a further strike ballot before any more strike action. There will also be a membership ballot on any “final offer” which, it now appears, will deal with both the outstanding issue of protection and the details of the new scheme.

The report emphasised that plans should still be being made for further industrial action and that we must not lose momentum. Developments since we – wrongly in my view – suspended industrial action before the May local elections have only reinforced my concerns about that tactical blunder.

If any branches involved in the dispute would like a more detailed report, or for me to attend a Branch Committee meeting to report back, please get in touch. The latest information is being circulated regularly from Regional office and can be found at http://www.unison.org.uk/pensions/index.asp.

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