Yes vote on NHS pensions
WORKERS, DEC 2006 ISSUE
UNISON members working in the health service have voted to accept proposals for a new pension scheme in the NHS. The new scheme is the result of 3 years negotiation between NHS trade unions and the government, and is endorsed by the unions. Of those who voted, 95 per cent were in favour of the proposals, supporting the recommendations of their negotiators.
These results will now feed into the NHS-wide consultation on the scheme with a view to it becoming operational in 2007. Major changes include the introduction of a new contributions scheme which varies depending on salary, dependents' benefits and, crucially, the retention of a final salary scheme.
March 2006, London: aspiring Unison members getting their demands in early... Photo: Workers
Progress made here is in stark contrast to the continuing mess in the Local Government Pension Scheme, which is subject not only to a massive forthcoming ballot, but also to what we predict will be a spectacularly unsuccessful lobby of parliament on 22 November. Unsuccessful, that is, in achieving union objectives of protecting the provisions of current arrangements.
The sooner the unions and their members learn that lobbying those who create the problem is not the answer, the sooner they will turn their attention to their own strength of organisation and force an acceptable outcome on our enemy.