Blackpool Local Government Branch

10 January saw each of the Service Groups covered by the LGPS meeting to take a decision over whether UNISON should proceed with negotiations over the LGPS on the basis of the principles and timetable agreed with the Local Government Association (LGA) on 21 December 2011. Those Service Groups are Local Government, Higher Education, Water, Energy and Transport (WET), Community and Police and Justice.

Dave Prentis highlighted the fact that UNISON remains in dispute with the Coalition over its attacks on our pensions and that the ballot is still 'live'. We will not have to re-ballot at the end of negotiations if they fail. Any decision on final proposals in either the NHS or LGPS will be a decision for members, through an all-member ballot. If proposals are rejected, members will be asked whether they want to take further industrial action. He also made it clear that there will be lay member involvement in future negotiations

You can read more in the latest "Protect our Pensions" Newsletter (No 11) which you can download here