Key decision made on pensions strike ballot

Key decision made on pensions strike ballot

Prospect's civil service sector executive agreed this week to ballot 34,000 members in the civil service on industrial action this autumn in protest at the government's plans to impose an increase in pensions contributions from April 2012.

The decision to seek authority for national strike action on 30 November, with the option for further action if there is no positive movement from the government, was taken unanimously at a meeting yesterday.

Dai Hudd, Prospect deputy general secretary, said: "Prospect will be asking members to join the TUC's national day of action because of the unfairness of the government's proposals and the lack of progress in negotiations.

"Our meeting focused on the absence of any meaningful negotiation on the crucial issues, such as contribution rates, pension age, transitional protection or accrual. If the government is serious about reaching agreement on pensions it has to listen to the views of its staff and make moves in their direction, otherwise the so-called consultation exercise is just a sham.”

Progress in the negotiations has been hampered by the government not providing key actuarial data necessary to cost the civil service pension scheme.

The Prospect ballot will run from 24 October-14 November.

The union is continuing to press ministers to amend their proposals in a way that would lift the need for industrial action.

Hudd urged members to reply to the government's official consultation exercise, opposing the government's proposals to impose a 3.2% contribution increase over the next three years, starting next April.

The exercise runs until 22 October. Prospect pensions officer Neil Walsh has produced guidance notes on how to respond. Email your response direct to [email protected] by October 20.

Members also also urged to write to their MPs protesting at the attacks.Talk about the impact of increased contributions and the other changes on you and your family's living standards. Download a draft letter, tips and information on how to find your MP.