The biggest strike since 1926 - three million people can't be wrong

What a St Andrew's Day! What camaraderie and solidarity. Today was a great success for the South Lanarkshire Branch UNISON, the unions across the Council, and indeed the unions across the entire public sector.

Millions on strike, millions of public sector workers withdrawing their labour, not to be taken lightly, all with a resounding message for this Government that we will not stand by and watch them steal our pensions. David Cameron reckons it was a damp squib - what planet is he on? It's not the first time we've asked this question.

UNISON and GMB pickets arrived early and braved the freezing cold throughout South Lanarkshire. At the Council HQ, Seniors Together showed their support along with former East Kilbride provost and retired teacher Helen Biggins who has got her pension, but is still prepared to fight for the rights of others.

It was great to see the PCS stewards too. Councillor Alan Scott, also a UNISON member and activist, came along to show his support for the pensions campaign. Councillor McAvoy, leader of the council, had already given a message of support from the Labour Group members, who had cancelled the schedule of meetings for the strike day.

Thousands marched in towns and cities across the UK. South Lanarkshire strikers and their families marched through Glasgow, to the rally at the Barrowlands Ballroom.

Well done to members for the strike action today, and thanks to those of you who we exempted from strike action to make sure that life and limb cover was maintained.

Why I am taking strike action - Stephen Smellie

When I started working for Council in 1984 I joined the Superannuation Scheme – the Pension. I had no choice. In those days it was compulsory. You could opt out if you chose but I didn’t. I recognised that a reasonable pension when you retire was important.

So I entered into a contract with my employer and the Government that I would pay 6% of my salary to my pension and my employer would make a contribution also. This was, in a way, me deferring my wages till a later day, when I retired. The plan was I would work till I was 65 and I wouldn’t have to claim and rely on state benefits to keep me out of poverty.

I am striking because the Government has decided to renege on that contract. They are insisting that I work longer and that I should get a poorer pension when I retire. They are not willing to negotiate on these issues – only on how much poorer a pension it would be. They also want me to increase by 50% what I pay every month towards it. Fortunately for me, being a Council worker, the Scottish Government were persuaded not to pass that on to me but I suspect the Tories and Liberals will come back with that plan if they get away with forcing it onto everyone else in the public sector!

I don’t want to strike but when faced with a Government that won’t negotiate and is now trying to bully us, by threatening to remove even some of the concessions they have made and to change the law to make it even more difficult for union members to take strike action, I don’t think I have any other choice.

South Lanarkshire UNISON Area Meetings

Industrial action...branch officer nominations...constitutional changes...anything else?

As you've no doubt heard, we've got a YES vote for industrial action to protect our pensions. So what next? Members will shortly receive a bulletin from the Branch telling you what this means. We will do our best to keep you up-to-date with any developments.

Better still, do try to get along to one of the Area Meetings. Remember that these meetings are also a forum for you to discuss any other UNISON related matters.

At the November Area Meetings you can also nominate for Branch Officer positions, or propose constitutional amendments.

LANARK
MON, NOV 21ST,
12:30 PM AND 7PM,
COUNCIL CHAMBER,
COUNCIL OFFICES,
SOUTH VENNEL,
LANARK

EAST KILBRIDE
TUES NOV 22ND,
12:30 PM AND 7PM,
COUNCIL CHAMBER,
COUNCIL OFFICES,
CIVIC CENTRE,
EAST KILBRIDE

RUTHERGLEN
MON, NOV 28TH,
12:30 PM AND 7PM
GROUND FLOOR,
KING STREET,
RUTHERGLEN

HAMILTON
TUES, NOV 29TH,
12:30 PM AND 7PM,
COUNCIL CHAMBER,
COUNCIL OFFICES,
ALMADA STREET,
HAMILTON

Members Vote YES

UNISON members have voted YES for industrial action to protect our pensions. The next step is we will be gearing up for an all out day of action on November 30th.

We will get an information bulletin out to our members over the next few days. Area meetings have been set for late November.

Watch here for more info.

Last chance to vote in the pensions ballot

Pensions ballot closes 10am on Thursday 3rd November.

So if you haven't returned your ballot paper don't hang about.

Vote YES.

Your future is at stake.

Ballot Helpline open from Monday 17th October

You should have received your ballot paper. Don't hang about - Vote Yes and post it back - your future is at stake.

If you haven't received it yet, please contact the Ballot helpline on 0845 355 0845 (open from 17-31 October)

Union members urged to vote to strike against great pension robbery

Press Release Friday 7th October

UNISON members working for local Councils, the NHS, South Lanarkshire College, the University of the West of Scotland, Skills Development Scotland and many other public services are being urged to vote for strike action. Members will be receiving ballot papers this week (from 11th October) in the biggest strike action ballot in UK history with 1.1 million people involved.

Stephen Smellie, Branch Secretary of UNISON South Lanarkshire said,"The UK Government have insisted that all public service workers will need to work longer before they can get their occupational pension and that the pension schemes will be changed so that we get poorer pensions. This is on top of the change made earlier this year to reduce the annual inflation linked increase in pensions is a calculated attack on our pensions."

Mary Samson, UNISON Lanarkshire NHS Secretary pointed out that for NHS workers there is another immediate issue,"NHS workers have been told that in addition to the changes the Government are insisting on they also want us to pay 50% more in contributions. This is a straight forward tax on NHS staff to help pay the Government's deficit. Not a penny of this additional money they want us to pay will go towards our pensions. Instead it goes to the Government who continue to bail out bankers to ensure they get their bonuses while we get pay freezes and job losses."

All UNISON's 17,000 members in Lanarkshire are being balloted for strike action. If members vote Yes the first day of strike action will be on 30th November. Lanarkshire NHS member and UNISON's Scottish Convenor, Lilian Macer said,"We have sought to resolve this through negotiations with both the UK and the Scottish Government. The UK Government are intent on robbing millions off loyal nurses, home carers and classroom assistants whilst the Scottish Government say they have no choice but to pass on the attacks. Strike action is a last resort but UNISON is determined to protect our members' pensions and I am sure our members will support the strike call and vote YES."

South Lanarkshire UNISON Meetings - Why you should be voting YES

Please make sure you get along to one of the meetings to hear why you should be voting YES in the Pensions ballot.

Monday, 10 October 2011
12-2 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.
Council Chamber, Lanark

Tuesday, 11 October 2011
12-2 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.
Council Chamber, Hamilton

Tuesday, 11 October 2011
12-2 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.
Civic Centre, East Kilbride

Wednesday, 12 October
12-2 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.
Brandongate, Hamilton

Wednesday, 12 October 2011
12-2 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.
King Street, Rutherglen

Wednesday, 12 October 2011
12-2 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.
Atholl House, East Kilbride

Wednesday, 12 October 2011
12.30 p.m.
Cambuslang Gate, Cadoc Suite

Thursday, 13 October
12-2 p.m
John Street, Blantyre

Thursday, 13 October 2011
12.30 p.m.
Rutherglen Q&A, 1st Floor Meeting Room

Friday, 14 October 2011
12.30 p.m.
Q&A, Meeting Room 4, Union Street, Larkhall

Friday, 14 October 2011
12.30 p.m.
Conference Room, Claude Street, Larkhall

You're never too young to worry about your pension - Vote YES

Cara Wedlock, South Lanarkshire steward and member of the Scottish Young Member's Committee, backing the pensions ballot...

Vote YES - your retirement is at stake

Look out for your ballot paper asking you to vote for industrial action to protect your pension - your retirement is at stake. The ballot opens on 11 October and closes on 3 November.

Watch out for details of meetings!

People first, no public sector cuts

South Lanarkshire UNISON members and families joined thousands of like minded people, braving the torrential rain to join the STUC's People First March from Glasgow Green to Kelvingrove Park. There was a tremendous sense of solidarity across not just the trade union movement but all sectors of the community standing up against the destructive actions of this Government.

The long soggy trek was well worth it to hear the great Tony Benn congratulating us on our show of strength, highlighting the heroes of the past and urging us to continue our fight for a fair and just society for all, our fight to stop this Government from destroying all the advances that the labour movement has made.

People First is calling for
- a redistribution of wealth through fair taxes and living wage jobs
- protection for the hardest hit through decent services and fair benefits
- stronger communities for all