Strike ballot over public sector pensions begins October 2011
Posted date: 31 October 2011
GMB has opened ballots for strike action over pension cuts in the public sector.
The union has decided to poll members despite ongoing negotiations. It claims that it has had to take action as the Government is proceeding with its plans, which the union believes will see public sector workers paying 50 per cent more for an inferior pension which they will have to wait longer for.
Brian Strutton, GMB National Secretary, said: “That is why we have had to move now to ballot for industrial action and our members tell us we are right to do so because they simply cannot afford what the Government is demanding.”
In contrast, the vote comes after the Government released figures showing that the number of people paying into an occupational pension is at its lowest since the 1950s.
In 2010 there were 8.3 million contributing, three million in the private sector and 5.4 million in the public sector. This is only marginally higher than in 1956 when the total stood at eight million.
Joanne Segars, Chief Executive at the National Association of Pension Funds, said: “People are thinking about today and putting tomorrow on hold, and unfortunately saving into a pension is being seen as a luxury.”
The vote closes on 16 November, with the first day of industrial action potentially taking place on
30 November. Impacted workers include employees at local councils, schools, the NHS, prisons and other industrial civil servants.
30 November. Impacted workers include employees at local councils, schools, the NHS, prisons and other industrial civil servants.
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- October 2011
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