Pensions victory
UNISON's relentless campaigning to preserve a vital retirement protection has paid off.
In an announcement to parliament today, local government minister Phil Woolas promised to consult on extending the full 'rule of 85' protection when the new local government pension scheme is rolled out next year.
The government had initially planned to dump the rule - which allows workers to retire on an unreduced pension if their combined age and years of service total 85 or over - in 2016.
Now, however, there is another chance for the union to argue it should be retained until 2020, which would bring workers in the LGPS in England and Wales into line with their colleagues in Scotland.
UNISON is welcoming the move as a major breakthrough, claiming “the constant lobbying and pressure has paid off”.
Regional secretary Gill Hale said: "Our campaign has delivered many improvements to the new pension scheme… attributable to delivering effective industrial action, hard work and successful campaigning of our branches and negotiators for over two years.”
UNISON's annual local government conference opens in Brighton this Sunday, when delegates will meet to consider the LGPS and its provisions.
UNISON news.
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