Save Our Pensions

UNISON is stepping up the campaign to protect members' pensions. Government policy is to increase the normal pension age in the public sector to 65 and increase the minimum age at which a member can receive a pension from 50 to 55 years.

Despite promises to consult, it is clear that the government is planning to force these changes through from April 2006. Members of the local government scheme in England and Wales have been told that these changes will come in from April 2005 - a year early.

And its not just local government workers who stand to be affected as the scheme covers those working in higher and further education, the probation and police services, and the voluntary sector. UNISON's local government service group has already decided to consult its members working for councils on the possibility of industrial action.

As a result, the Branch are asking stewards to hold consultation meetings with members on whether they are prepared to take part in national industrial action to try to force the Government to back down.

Tony Caffery, Branch Secretary, said, "We must stand up to this threat to our pensions. It used to be said that local government workers could rely on two things; job security and a decent pension. We certainly don't have job security anymore and it would appear that the government are determined to attack our pensions. It is also sickening hypocrisy for MPs - who recently voted for themselves one of the best pension schemes in Europe - to say that they can no longer afford to keep the local government pension scheme as it currently stands. I sincerely hope that all Manchester UNISON members will resist this attack. We deserve better than to be faced with poverty in retirement."

Use your Vote

By law, trade unions must hold elections for the office of General Secretary every five years. This year it's UNISON's turn .

The Manchester Branch nominated the current General Secretary Dave Prentis back in 2000. In December, our Branch Executive Council overwhelmingly agreed to nominate him again. Branch Secretary Tony Caffery said, "Dave has done an excellent job over the last five years - a recent Guardian survey reported that Dave Prentis was not only the most influential trade union leader in Britain but also the fourth most influential person in Britain at the present time."

Have your say - use your vote.

A ballot of all members on the political fund ballot is due in March. It must be carried out every 10 years and asks the question: "Do you approve the continuation of UNISON's political fund arrangements?"

Our unique political funds give members the choice on how to have their say. Through Labour Link we take our policies into the heart of the Labour Party and our General Political Fund enables us to campaign on key issues that matter - pensions, anti-racism and in support of public services. Members can currently choose to be in the General Political Fund; to be part of UNISON Labour Link; to opt out of both funds; or to pay into both. So make sure you use your vote to keep our political voice.