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."