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UNISON www.uul.ora.uk IT MAY have taken a long time coming, but anger among UNISON local govworkers at the impending cuts in the pension rights is now driving the fightback on pensions for all private sector workers.
UNISON is by far the biggest union to ballot its 800,000 local government members for strike action on March 23, in a collective response which also includes the civil services union PCS, teaching unions, the fire
and others. UNISON's 450,000 health workers are also beginning to take note of the fact that their pension scheme, too, is under
All public sector workers face a New Labour government hell-bent on forcing up the retirement age for public sector staff from the present 60 to 65 - in order to keep down the level of taxation on big business and the wealthy.
Until now pensions has seemed to be an issue affecting mainly older workers and those already retired, and the unions have a pitiful record of inaction in defence of pension rights which has lett British pensioners as some of the most impoverished in Europe.
In the 1980s Thatcher's government felt free to axe the link between state pensions and average wages, and slash back the state earning related pension scheme, as part of the move to force everlarger sections of workers into taking out private pension schemes.
Unscrupulous employers recognised the same weakUNISON * PENSION PAN CA ness in the unions, and some like Robert Maxwell, went as far as to squander or even steal pension funds: others cashed in on boom stock market conditions to take prolonged "holidays" from pension contributions, leaving many funds now desperately short of the cash needed to meet their obligations.
Since 1997, as the state pension dwindles in value, private employers have been queuing up to axe their final salary schemes and restrict entry to schemes which promise generous benefits.
Labour ministers have stared like rabbits in the headlights and done nothing - until this latest move to reduce public sector pensions to match the meaner provision by profiteering companies.
March 23 offers workers a chance to stop this rot.
It may have taken the unions 20 years to realise that pensions are deferred wages, and the defence of pension rights is an issue for those in work - but it should not take very long to recognise that the fight must be stepped up now to defend the local government scheme and all public sector workers against a mean-spirited attack by Blair's anti-labour government.
A solid walk-out, backed up by the promise of further action until the government backs off its offensive against pensions, could put the heat on Tony Blair in the run up to the election and give the unions a real chance of winning this vital fight. • See inside, pages 8-9