The GMB is talking about a possible strike ballot. National officer Brian Strutton told the union’s annual conference, which represents 700,000 members including many thousands in local authorities, that “we will draw a line in the sand when the government deliberately attempts to destroy our pensions”.
In the most recent bulletin to members over the ongoing negotiations with the government, he added that the GMB was asking for the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) to be considered apart from other public sector schemes because of its funding and the proportion of lower paid workers making contributions, saying: “Fundamentally, government needs to show flexibility in their approach to the substance of the negotiations, not just the form.
“I expect the first Local Government Pension Scheme specific meeting to take place very soon and GMB will be looking for a clear signal from government that they are rethinking the Osborne pension tax - the 50% increase in member contributions that threatens the viability of the scheme.
“GMB remains committed to the policy of negotiating the best proposals we can while preparing for industrial action should negotiations fail. We are not at that point yet and I will keep you informed.”
