Unison Herts

Representatives of UNISON's local government members welcomed "substanial improvements" in government proposals for a new pension scheme in England and Wales at a special conference in London held on 6th March and called for continued talks with a ballot of members as soon as negotiations are completed.

As Jean Geldart, chair of UNISON's local government service group executive reminded delegates gathered in Alexandra Palace, North London "three years ago, the government declared war on public-service pensions schemes".

But now, Conference agreed, extensive negotiations and a campaign including industrial action, had led to proposals which include:

• a guaranteed final salary scheme
• an improved accrual rate - from 1/80th to 1/60th of final salary for every year worked
• pensions for unmarried partners
• improved death-in-sevice benefits.

The Conference also welcomed negotiators success in removing "unacceptable" proposals on redundancy and benefits for scheme members children who are left without parents, thanks to the "hard work and successful campaigning of our branches, regions and senior negotiators over two years".

In particular, delegates welcomed proposed improvements for low paid women and part-time workers.  As Wendy Nichols of North Yorkshire noted, "three-quarters of LGPS members are women and half of those are part time and keeping a final salary scheme with improved accrual rates is a victory for them.

 Vice president Carol Maleham added her voice as a "low paid local government worker, the silent majority in this debate".

The better accrual rate meant women with different career patterns than men could earn better pensions, she noted "score one of equality".

Lower contribution rates for low paid worker scored two for equality, she added and pensions for unmarried partners backdated to 1988 meant "score three for equlity".

While recognising the progress made, the conference called on negotiations to continue, in particular around

• contribution rates for part time workers and those currently on a protected 5% rate
• provision for people retiring on ill-health grounds
• protection for those formerly covered by the rule of 85 which allowed some members to retire at 60 with an unreduced pension.

As soon as negotiations are completed, members will be balloted on whether they accept the proposals or of not, whether they are prepared to take "substantial and escalating industrial actions".

 The conference further called for a full equality impact assessment under the Disability Discrimination Act to ensure that the new LGPS met the needs of disabled workers with "dignity and respect".