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Pensions: Next Stage in Scotland UNISON’s elected representatives have voted to give the union’s negotiators the green light to continue negotiations on changes to public sector pensions. At a pensions summit in London on 10 January, the feedback from every region was that the majority of branches and members backed continuing negotiations. The summit discussed the details of the proposals for the Local Government and Health pension schemes and agreed to the frameworks negotiators have developed with UK Government ministers since 30 November. At the summit General Secretary Dave Prentis made it clear that UNISON took action for industrial reasons, because negotiations broke down. But the strength of the action brought UK ministers back to the table to negotiate properly. He said: "We will carry on negotiating over pensions - because that's what we do as a trade union and because it's what our members want. But at the same time - we are still in dispute and our industrial action ballot is still valid for further action if needed.” These frameworks cover the schemes in England and Wales although, particularly in health, they have implications for the Scottish pension schemes. UNISON’s approach to the next stage in Scotland was set out by UNISON Scottish Convener Lillian Macer who said: “As the Scottish Government has the responsibility to address these issues in Scotland we call upon Scottish Ministers to explore a distinct Scottish solution for the public service workforce." Read the rest of this bulletin here BRANCH AGMS Notifications for Branch Annual General Meetings will be posted out to members soon so look out for this important communication. Dates and venues for these meetings can be found on the What's On page. All meetings will be 12noon for 12.30pm start with a limited buffet available. The Branch is looking for new stewards in a number of geographical areas so if any member would like to put themselves forward please complete the nomination form included in the AGM paperwork. Or if you would like to have an informal chat first please call Branch Secretary, Andy Nisbet. ============================================================ 28/11/11 - INDUSTRIAL ACTION EXCLUSIONS The
Branch have agreed to provide "life and limb" cover during the day of
action which means that members on Standby should attend Red Alerts and
public health emergencies. Scottish Water have stated that they will
try to defer work outwith the 30th Nov where this is practicable.
Note that members in their final year before retirement, and pregnant women, are exempted from taking industrial action. If in doubt about any of the above please contact the Branch Secretary. 24/11/11 - LATEST INDUSTRIAL ACTION BULLETIN The latest Industrial Action newsletter has been sent out to members and a pdf copy can be viewed and downloaded here. Unless you hear otherwise this day of action is going ahead. Remember, regardless of what Scottish Water have said in their communications, your pension is under attack. If we stand back and do nothing, significant and serious change will come and it will be too late to do anything about it. Now is the time to stand together and say no to an unfair and unnecessary tax on public sector pensions. Members should be aware that this action is for a 24 hour period from 0000hrs to 2400hrs on the 30th November and therefore this will cover any periods where staff may be working standby or overtime. If any exclusions are agreed with Scottish Water these will be posted on this website so keep checking back. If there is any breakthrough in negotiations and the action is called off, this will be posted as soon as possible. It is likely though that this will be quickly reported in the national press. Information of rallies in your area can be found at the STUC site here Also keep checking the UNISON Scotland page here for updates ================================== 5/10/11 - LATEST PENSIONS BULLETIN - VOTE YES TO PROTECT YOUR PENSION The
latest Pensions Bulletin is now available at the UNISON Scotland site where members are urged to vote YES in the forthcoming industrial action ballot.
Click here for details. The latest issue of the Branch Newsletter will be hitting doorsteps later this week. For an advance look see the pdf version here - September Newsletter SW recently announced the closure of the labs at Stornoway and Kirkwall. This came as a surprise to staff and Unison reps alike as there has been absolutely no consultation on this matter. Branch reps are seeking a meeting with SW senior management to discuss this issue and to minimise the impact on members as far is possible. More info to follow as soon as we have it. The closure has not gone unnoticed in Orkney as can be seen by this report in the Orcadian - click here The result of the UNISON Scottish Water Branch consultative ballot on SW's 2011 pay offer is as follows:- Yes - 211 (65%) 936 ballots were issued with 325 returned, a response rate of 35%. Given the above clear direction by the membership, the Branch will be accepting SW's pay offer at the Negotiating Forum meeting on 22nd August 2011. No concessions on pensions but further talks at UK levelPublic service unions, including UNISON have agreed to extend the negotiations with the government on public sector pensions. However, the TUC unions have made it clear to the government that whilst they are prepared to keep talking, they have not agreed to or accepted any of the Government's objectives, nor the change in indexation from RPI to the lower CPI. Further negotiations will take place centrally and UNISON has also entered into scheme specific talks. However, Dave Prentis, General Secretary has slammed as "totally unhelpful" the tactics of the Government of releasing their bargaining position "as though it is set in stone" and has warned that if this is the case, there is no point in continuing negotiations. Dave said, "Our aim is to get a final offer so that members can see whether or not their pension schemes will be maintained or reduced. We expect these talks to be serious and any proposed changes must be based on clear evidence and not simply an excuse to find money to pay off the country's deficit." He added that both the local government and the health schemes are cash rich and were renegotiated a few years ago to make them sustainable and affordable, with longevity costs paid by the employee and not the employer. "Making people pay more and work longer for a smaller pension is unnecessary, unjust and unworkable. People will leave the schemes if they become too expensive and they will collapse," warned Dave, pointing out that pensioners will then end up on means tested benefits at an added cost to taxpayers. See the latest pensions leaflet here - http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/pensions/Pensionspig.pdf
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