This Friday, 28th April, is Workers' Memorial Day (WMD) when we are asked to "remember the dead, fight for the living".
You are invited to attend a WMD short service of rememberance and thanskgiving from 12 to 12.30 pm, with a vigil outside on the steps of St Peters Church, St Peter's Square, Nottingham from 12.30 to 12.50. This will be followed by a procession to Weekday Cross to lay empty shoes and a poem recital.
This will be led by David McCoulough, Chaplain to Commerce and Industry, with an address from Vincent Borg, UNISON Asst National Health & Safety Officer, and a reading from Helen Black, UNISON East Midlands Regional Secretary.
All are welcome.
24 April 2006
12 April 2006
Strike wins new pension talks
UNISON today agreed to recommend suspending planned industrial action over pensions after the joint unions agreed a basis for further talks with employers.
The formal decision to suspend further industrial action will be taken by the industrial action committee on Thursday, but representatives of all service groups have agreed the move.
General Secretary Dave Prentis said: "The joint union/LGA statement is a positive step and that is why we have decided to suspend our planned strike action. It provides a framework to enable negotiations to take place on the future of the local government pension scheme and on protection arrangements. There is still a great deal of work to do in the detailed negotiations over these complex issues in a short time frame and we will be concentrating all our efforts on achieving a satisfactory conclusion."
The move follows a TUC-brokered joint statement with the Local Government Association which commits both sides to:
=> discussing proper protection for current members of the LGPS pension scheme if the Rule of 85 were to be abolished
=> making 50% of the savings available to pay for protections, and of savings from changes to the commutation arrangements
=> agreeing that changes in future should be made by agreement where possible
=> negotiating a fair new-look scheme for the future.
The joint statement followed successful one-day national strike action on 28 March.
Read the joint statement and visit UNISON pensions page for more information.
The formal decision to suspend further industrial action will be taken by the industrial action committee on Thursday, but representatives of all service groups have agreed the move.
General Secretary Dave Prentis said: "The joint union/LGA statement is a positive step and that is why we have decided to suspend our planned strike action. It provides a framework to enable negotiations to take place on the future of the local government pension scheme and on protection arrangements. There is still a great deal of work to do in the detailed negotiations over these complex issues in a short time frame and we will be concentrating all our efforts on achieving a satisfactory conclusion."
The move follows a TUC-brokered joint statement with the Local Government Association which commits both sides to:
=> discussing proper protection for current members of the LGPS pension scheme if the Rule of 85 were to be abolished
=> making 50% of the savings available to pay for protections, and of savings from changes to the commutation arrangements
=> agreeing that changes in future should be made by agreement where possible
=> negotiating a fair new-look scheme for the future.
The joint statement followed successful one-day national strike action on 28 March.
Read the joint statement and visit UNISON pensions page for more information.
Possible suspension of pensions action
The TUC have issued a press release at lunchtime today (click here for details) stating that:
"At a meeting of all the unions representing members covered by the Local Government Pension scheme this morning (Wednesday) a proposed joint statement with the Local Government Association was unanimously recommended for endorsement. Each of the unions will now urgently be holding their necessary internal consultations on that recommendation.
The joint statement, which has already been endorsed by the Local Government Association, is the result of detailed informal discussions over recent days. It establishes the framework for the detailed negotiations on future local government pensions.
To facilitate these negotiations it is being recommended that all the industrial action currently planned should be suspended."
Media coverage can be found on the BBC News website: "Council pension strikes suspended"
UNISON should have news on the national website pensions section in due course
"At a meeting of all the unions representing members covered by the Local Government Pension scheme this morning (Wednesday) a proposed joint statement with the Local Government Association was unanimously recommended for endorsement. Each of the unions will now urgently be holding their necessary internal consultations on that recommendation.
The joint statement, which has already been endorsed by the Local Government Association, is the result of detailed informal discussions over recent days. It establishes the framework for the detailed negotiations on future local government pensions.
To facilitate these negotiations it is being recommended that all the industrial action currently planned should be suspended."
Media coverage can be found on the BBC News website: "Council pension strikes suspended"
UNISON should have news on the national website pensions section in due course
08 April 2006
Strike Latest: Action to continue over pensions
Prior to the LGA letter (see below: blog entry at 10.11pm on 7th April) the unions announced a rolling programme of action that will see every UNISON region take part over the three days in the following order:
=>25th April: South East, Eastern, South West and Greater London
=>26th April: Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
=>27th April: Northern, North West, Yorks and Humberside, East and West Midlands
As Nottinghamshire UNISON is in the East Midlands Region, we are preparing for a further day of industrial action on 27th April.
For more details from UNISON's national website: click here
=>25th April: South East, Eastern, South West and Greater London
=>26th April: Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
=>27th April: Northern, North West, Yorks and Humberside, East and West Midlands
As Nottinghamshire UNISON is in the East Midlands Region, we are preparing for a further day of industrial action on 27th April.
For more details from UNISON's national website: click here
07 April 2006
Pensions: LGA writes to all Local Authority Chief Execs about negotiations
The following letter has been sent out by the LGA to all Local Authority Chief Executives this afternoon.
Although UNISON welcomes the commitment of the LGA to enter into negotiations on a way forward, at the time of writing a formal proposal has not been tabled with the TUC, UNISON or other involved trade unions, contrary to the employer’s statement. We are seeking urgent clarification from the LGA about the status of the document.
In light of the ongoing talks, a number of national UNISON meetings have been scheduled for next week in the event of us having an acceptable proposal to consult on. Also the National Joint Union Strike Team is scheduled to meet on Wednesday.
Lucille Thirlby
Senior National Officer
Local Government Service Group
Dear Chief Executive
Local Government Pension Scheme.
I hope it is helpful to bring you up-to-date on recent national developments concerning the Scheme. You will appreciate that this is a very fast-moving situation, but this is the position at the time of writing.
Last week the Trade Unions called staff out on strike over their demand to retain the 85 year rule. The Unions however are also aggrieved that they do not have protection for existing staff equal to that granted by the Government to other public sector workers. Whilst the LGA has sympathy with this perceived unfairness, we have to give first regard to the affordability and sustainability of a funded Scheme.
The Minister for Local Government laid an Order on 30 March, which brings the 85-year rule to an end by October 2006, with protection for existing staff who will be 60 by 2013. He called on both sides to begin talks, to start now ‘on a nothing ruled in, nothing ruled out basis to address the protection of existing Scheme members, the recycling of savings, and the development of a more equitable Scheme’.
Despite the Unions calling further industrial action, the LGA has responded positively to the Minister’s statement. It initiated informal soundings with Trade Union leaders, facilitated by the TUC.
As a result a special LGA Group Leaders meeting, also attended by the Chairman of the Human Resources Panel, took place on Wednesday 8 April. We decided to move our position significantly by agreeing to discuss enhanced protection, subject to affordability. A copy of our unanimously agreed statement is appended.
This has now been presented to Unison, the lead trade union, and the ODPM. The LGA stands ready to engage in meaningful discussions and negotiations on this basis and hopes that the Trade Unions will call off planned industrial action as soon as possible and engage positively with us.
We will keep you informed of significant developments. The Group Leaders next meet on 19 April.
[The LGA Chairman is writing in similar terms to your leader]. Please share this information with your staff as you would wish.
Yours sincerely,
John Ransford
Deputy Chief Executive
Local Government Pension Scheme – LGA proposal for developing a framework for a programme of discussions and negotiations
1. The statement by the Minister for Local Government on 30th March laying Parliamentary Orders, including the Order to abolish the Rule of 85 from October 2006, provides a framework for developing a new-look scheme. He said that “in the light of discussions held yesterday with the Trade Unions and Local Government Employers, we are calling on both sides to begin talks, to start now on a nothing rule in nothing ruled out basis, to address the protection of existing Scheme members, the recycling of savings, and the development of a more equitable Scheme”.
2. All participants are firmly committed to change in pension provision, now and in the future, being made by agreement as far as possible, respecting the role of the DPM as regulator.
3. This commitment to create a new-look scheme should encompass all issues raised by the participants within the context of the Parliamentary orders and related Ministerial statements. The scheme must be sustainable and affordable for employers and as a key element of the renumeration, recruitment and retention package for Local Government employees and those belonging to admitted bodies.
4. The following specific action points are emphasised by the participants to be addressed during this process:
• Work to resolve the outstanding differences in relevant actuarial assessments to be undertaken immediately and all emerging proposals to be assessed by professional advisers appointed by the participants.
• Up to 50% of the savings accruing from the abolition of the Rule of 85, and consideration of the savings from the revised commutation arrangements, to be made available to fund scheme improvements, including protection arrangements for existing staff, and creating a more equitable and affordable Scheme.
• Urgent negotiations to take place before the Parliamentary summer recess on developing a good quality, sustainable and affordable new-look LGPS going forward, fully equality proofed with greater choice and flexibility on when and how members move from employment to retirement and having regard to the respective contributions of employers and employees; incorporating discussions on affordable protection to existing staff, including full protection, taking account of appropriate actuarial and legal advice.
5. All participants are committed to concluding the first phase of these negotiations in order to report to the Tripartite Committee in June. The Minister said in his statement that “the Government stands prepared to introduce further amendments before the summer recess to update the regulations in the light of any agreed proposals which emerge from the talks between the Trade Unions and Local Government Employers”.
LGA Chairman, Group leaders and Chair of LGE Employers
Local Government Association
5 April 2006
For the UNISON response: click here
Although UNISON welcomes the commitment of the LGA to enter into negotiations on a way forward, at the time of writing a formal proposal has not been tabled with the TUC, UNISON or other involved trade unions, contrary to the employer’s statement. We are seeking urgent clarification from the LGA about the status of the document.
In light of the ongoing talks, a number of national UNISON meetings have been scheduled for next week in the event of us having an acceptable proposal to consult on. Also the National Joint Union Strike Team is scheduled to meet on Wednesday.
Lucille Thirlby
Senior National Officer
Local Government Service Group
Dear Chief Executive
Local Government Pension Scheme.
I hope it is helpful to bring you up-to-date on recent national developments concerning the Scheme. You will appreciate that this is a very fast-moving situation, but this is the position at the time of writing.
Last week the Trade Unions called staff out on strike over their demand to retain the 85 year rule. The Unions however are also aggrieved that they do not have protection for existing staff equal to that granted by the Government to other public sector workers. Whilst the LGA has sympathy with this perceived unfairness, we have to give first regard to the affordability and sustainability of a funded Scheme.
The Minister for Local Government laid an Order on 30 March, which brings the 85-year rule to an end by October 2006, with protection for existing staff who will be 60 by 2013. He called on both sides to begin talks, to start now ‘on a nothing ruled in, nothing ruled out basis to address the protection of existing Scheme members, the recycling of savings, and the development of a more equitable Scheme’.
Despite the Unions calling further industrial action, the LGA has responded positively to the Minister’s statement. It initiated informal soundings with Trade Union leaders, facilitated by the TUC.
As a result a special LGA Group Leaders meeting, also attended by the Chairman of the Human Resources Panel, took place on Wednesday 8 April. We decided to move our position significantly by agreeing to discuss enhanced protection, subject to affordability. A copy of our unanimously agreed statement is appended.
This has now been presented to Unison, the lead trade union, and the ODPM. The LGA stands ready to engage in meaningful discussions and negotiations on this basis and hopes that the Trade Unions will call off planned industrial action as soon as possible and engage positively with us.
We will keep you informed of significant developments. The Group Leaders next meet on 19 April.
[The LGA Chairman is writing in similar terms to your leader]. Please share this information with your staff as you would wish.
Yours sincerely,
John Ransford
Deputy Chief Executive
Local Government Pension Scheme – LGA proposal for developing a framework for a programme of discussions and negotiations
1. The statement by the Minister for Local Government on 30th March laying Parliamentary Orders, including the Order to abolish the Rule of 85 from October 2006, provides a framework for developing a new-look scheme. He said that “in the light of discussions held yesterday with the Trade Unions and Local Government Employers, we are calling on both sides to begin talks, to start now on a nothing rule in nothing ruled out basis, to address the protection of existing Scheme members, the recycling of savings, and the development of a more equitable Scheme”.
2. All participants are firmly committed to change in pension provision, now and in the future, being made by agreement as far as possible, respecting the role of the DPM as regulator.
3. This commitment to create a new-look scheme should encompass all issues raised by the participants within the context of the Parliamentary orders and related Ministerial statements. The scheme must be sustainable and affordable for employers and as a key element of the renumeration, recruitment and retention package for Local Government employees and those belonging to admitted bodies.
4. The following specific action points are emphasised by the participants to be addressed during this process:
• Work to resolve the outstanding differences in relevant actuarial assessments to be undertaken immediately and all emerging proposals to be assessed by professional advisers appointed by the participants.
• Up to 50% of the savings accruing from the abolition of the Rule of 85, and consideration of the savings from the revised commutation arrangements, to be made available to fund scheme improvements, including protection arrangements for existing staff, and creating a more equitable and affordable Scheme.
• Urgent negotiations to take place before the Parliamentary summer recess on developing a good quality, sustainable and affordable new-look LGPS going forward, fully equality proofed with greater choice and flexibility on when and how members move from employment to retirement and having regard to the respective contributions of employers and employees; incorporating discussions on affordable protection to existing staff, including full protection, taking account of appropriate actuarial and legal advice.
5. All participants are committed to concluding the first phase of these negotiations in order to report to the Tripartite Committee in June. The Minister said in his statement that “the Government stands prepared to introduce further amendments before the summer recess to update the regulations in the light of any agreed proposals which emerge from the talks between the Trade Unions and Local Government Employers”.
LGA Chairman, Group leaders and Chair of LGE Employers
Local Government Association
5 April 2006
For the UNISON response: click here
Redundancy Pay Dispute temporarily suspended
This is to confirm that the Trade Unions in the County Council have confirmed their willingness to suspend our local action for an additional 21 days to explore an improved offer from the Council.
We should receive the revised redundancy pay policy next week.
We should receive the revised redundancy pay policy next week.
Jill Turner
Joint Branch Secretary
Joint Branch Secretary
02 April 2006
Anonymous postings
We have received a couple of comments about the proposed smoking ban at the County Council. Unfortunately, the author did not include their name or workplace so we are not able to publish them. As it says at the top of the blog:
"If you wish to comment, please ensure that you include your name and workplace. This is to ensure that the blog is not abused by spammers and non-members of the branch."
If you are a member of Nottinghamshire UNISON and have comments and views that you want to share with the rest of the branch via this blog, please remember to include your name and workplace/department in your comment.
"If you wish to comment, please ensure that you include your name and workplace. This is to ensure that the blog is not abused by spammers and non-members of the branch."
If you are a member of Nottinghamshire UNISON and have comments and views that you want to share with the rest of the branch via this blog, please remember to include your name and workplace/department in your comment.
01 April 2006
Pensions: not an April fool story...
After the successful strike on Tuesday 28th March, there was some movement from the Government.
30th March: Deputy prime minister John Prescott escalated the pensions dispute - by rushing ahead with the government’s changes to local government pensions. UNISON's response is Unions call further strike action
31st March, morning: Guardian Newspaper carried a story about problems with MPs' pensions and what they plan to do about it: Millions to bail out MPs' pensions
31st March, afternoon: UNISON issues press release STRIKE LATEST: Meat hygiene strike deferred because "informal talks have taken place with the employers and government on the future of the Local Government Pension Scheme. UNISON is now calling on meat hygiene staff to report for work as normal on Monday. Further talks will begin early next week to determine whether an agreement can be reached to protect existing staff and begin negotiations on the new scheme. The action has been deferred to allow the best chance for a successful resolution of the dispute."
Keep watching UNISON's national website for news
30th March: Deputy prime minister John Prescott escalated the pensions dispute - by rushing ahead with the government’s changes to local government pensions. UNISON's response is Unions call further strike action
31st March, morning: Guardian Newspaper carried a story about problems with MPs' pensions and what they plan to do about it: Millions to bail out MPs' pensions
31st March, afternoon: UNISON issues press release STRIKE LATEST: Meat hygiene strike deferred because "informal talks have taken place with the employers and government on the future of the Local Government Pension Scheme. UNISON is now calling on meat hygiene staff to report for work as normal on Monday. Further talks will begin early next week to determine whether an agreement can be reached to protect existing staff and begin negotiations on the new scheme. The action has been deferred to allow the best chance for a successful resolution of the dispute."
Keep watching UNISON's national website for news
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