Pension strike called for by Unison

Employment Law & HR update 07/11/2011

Government plans to alter public service pension schemes have met a roadblock as members of Unison voted in favour of striking against the proposals.

The Unison trade union - which comprises many local government, NHS and clerical police staff - voted with a 78 per cent majority, with 245,358 in favour of striking and 70,253 against on a 29 per cent turnout, according to the BBC.

As a result of the majority vote, it looks likely that there will be a national strike on 30 November 2011. The government plans - which include higher pension contributions from staff, with those staff also working until 'later pension ages' - were intended to slash the funding cost of public service pensions. They may now be changed following the threat to strike.

Francis Maude, Cabinet Office Minister, told the BBC, “We listened to the concerns of public sector workers about their pensions and yesterday responded with a new generous settlement which is beyond the dreams of most private [sector] employees.”

However, Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said, “Yesterday's statement in Parliament was a marked improvement on earlier proposals. But it is important to understand that the statement has to be translated into offers in the scheme-specific talks,” he said.

If the strike does go ahead, it would be organised by the TUC and would comprise members from 20 public sector trade unions. If all of the unions vote in favour of the strike, the 'day of action' could be the largest strike since 22 January 1979.

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