12.03.12
‘Final’ set of pension proposals for public sector
Public sector pension talks have been concluded, and the Government has now published its final set of proposals for union executives to consider.
The plans seek to increase employee contributions between April this year and April 2015 as well as a switch to career average pension schemes and the raising of the age of retirement to 68.
Public sector unions held a nationwide strike against the original proposals in November, and some have threatened that further industrial action could be forthcoming. The National Union of Teachers has said it will not sign up to the plan and the civil service union PCS have warned of future strikes.
Other unions, such as Unison, plan to ballot their members for a decision on the final set of proposals.
Chief secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander said: “These agreements mean that public servants who have dedicated their lives to serving the public will rightly continue to receive pensions that are among the very best available, while delivering the Government’s key objectives in full. This is a fair deal for public service workers and an affordable deal for the taxpayer.”
Image c. Andy O’Donnell
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