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04/02/2005
Unions to ballot members over pension age proposals
The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) have announced plans to ballot their members on strike action, over government plans to raise the public sector pension age to 65.
The PCS, which has 290,00 public sector members, will join UNISON, the TGWU and Amicus, in balloting their members about a possible strike on March 23.
The government recently announced plans to raise the pension age for civil and public service employees from 60 to 65. The measures, which also include plans to end the final salary pension scheme, have been met with criticism and anger from the unions.
PCS general secretary, Mark Serwotka, said: "The average civil service pension is just £4800 per year and for many thousands of civil and public servants, they are seeing their contracts with their future torn up in front of their eyes.
"With thousands of hardworking civil and public servants already facing the axe and increasing insecurity over their futures, the government's forced pension age rise comes as a double whammy.
"We urge the government to engage in meaningful negotiation and think again about forcing people to work an extra five years and give people real choices about their futures."
The government has stated that no changes would be made to the pensions system without the unions being consulted first.
However, the PCS said that the government had indicated that they were willing to consult on the final salary scheme, but said that they had "made clear" that there was "no intention to consult or negotiate" over the pension age rise.
The PCS ballot is expected to close on or around March 10.
(KMcA/SP)
The PCS, which has 290,00 public sector members, will join UNISON, the TGWU and Amicus, in balloting their members about a possible strike on March 23.
The government recently announced plans to raise the pension age for civil and public service employees from 60 to 65. The measures, which also include plans to end the final salary pension scheme, have been met with criticism and anger from the unions.
PCS general secretary, Mark Serwotka, said: "The average civil service pension is just £4800 per year and for many thousands of civil and public servants, they are seeing their contracts with their future torn up in front of their eyes.
"With thousands of hardworking civil and public servants already facing the axe and increasing insecurity over their futures, the government's forced pension age rise comes as a double whammy.
"We urge the government to engage in meaningful negotiation and think again about forcing people to work an extra five years and give people real choices about their futures."
The government has stated that no changes would be made to the pensions system without the unions being consulted first.
However, the PCS said that the government had indicated that they were willing to consult on the final salary scheme, but said that they had "made clear" that there was "no intention to consult or negotiate" over the pension age rise.
The PCS ballot is expected to close on or around March 10.
(KMcA/SP)
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18 February 2005
Unions protest over public sector pension changes
Thousands of people are expected to take part in protests against public sector pension changes across the country today. The Trades Union Congress (TUC) is co-ordinating the countrywide action, as part of the 'Protecting Public Services Campaign Day'.
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Thousands of people are expected to take part in protests against public sector pension changes across the country today. The Trades Union Congress (TUC) is co-ordinating the countrywide action, as part of the 'Protecting Public Services Campaign Day'.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
