We are urging all people to join the pickets and protests that are being organized up and down the United Kingdom by UNISON, on Wednesday 23rd March 2005. For more information on the strike action, please read the appeal below.

As you are aware the recent UNISON ballot on industrial action in Protest at the government’s attack on the Local Government Pension Scheme resulted in a large majority voting “yes” to taking strike action.

There will therefore be a day of all out strike action on Wednesday 23rd March 2005.

This action will be supported by the Transport and General Workers Union in Local Government, although the GMB have not balloted members. The action will be co-coordinated with other Trade Unions in the Public Services including the Civil Service, to deliver a massive protest at Government attempts to attack our pensions.

Why You Should Strike!

The British Government, whilst consulting on amendments to Public Sector pension schemes, suddenly tabled new regulations in Parliament which will raise the retirement age in Local Government from 60 years to 65 years and increase the earliest age that workers can apply to draw their pensions, except for ill health, from 50 years to 55 years.

The proposed changes are a cut in terms and conditions. Pensions are deferred pay and increasing the age at which an unreduced pension becomes payable from 60 years to 65 years will decrease the value of future scheme membership by around 30%! Local Government staff will be forced to work 5 years longer or face a cut in their pension.

If we do not take action to try and prevent these regulations from coming into force on 1st April 2005, the Government will also be encouraged to pursue other so-called reforms perhaps including increased contributions instead of final salary, cuts in ill-health retirement etc.


WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP!

With this letter are a number of attachments;

1) Ensure maximum support for the action from colleagues in your work place.

2) Support the picket of your workplace. Posters, official picket placards are available from your nearest UNISON branch office.

3) Display Posters in your workplace, community centre, window, in your car etc.


Attend the Rally!

In Manchester a protest rally will be held on:

Wednesday 23rd March,

12.00 noon,

Albert Square, Manchester

(facing the Manchester Town Hall)


For more information please contact 0161 254 7500

This has been copied from the UNISON letter sent out on 14/3/2005.