NEGOTIATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS OVER THE LGPS
Newsletter number 13 brings you up to date with negotiations and discussions over the LGPS.
How are the talks going?
The Project Team has been meeting every Monday
- Data from the 2010 fund valuations shows that 72% of LGPS members are women and that 60% of all LGPS members are women earning less than £25,000 a year, alongside 16.5% of men – an indication of low pay in local government.
- Unite has re-joined the negotiations on the basis of the agreed Principles.
- There is a separate Governance Working Group looking at how the LGPS can be made more accountable
Timetable....
- 12 March to 20 April has been designated as the consultation period over the new scheme for unions.
- UNISON is committed to an all-member ballot on the final LGPS proposals.
Bernadette Gallagher
Branch Secretary
Negotiations and discussions over the LGPS
Latest Local Government Pension Scheme newsletter (pdf document)
Pensions dispute - frequently asked questions
Unsure about what's happening to public sector pensions? Find the answer in our FAQs
Pensions resources
Updated mythbuster and new information on Fair Deal
Greater Manchester Pension Fund Website
Do you know the real pension facts?
1. If closed today the LGPS could still pay all its liabilities for 20 years
2. The Treasury gets £2bn more in NHS pension contributions than it pays out in benefits pa
3. The average Local Government pension is £4,000 pa - hardly gold plated!
4. The average NHS pension is £7,000 per annum - again hardly gold plated!
5. Half of NHS women pensioners receive less than £3,500 per annum
6. The bosses of Britain's largest companies have an average pension 29 times bigger than the average public sector pension
13/12/11
Bolton Unison Press Release
Bolton councillors have been asked to consider using the money saved from strike deductions from wages to be distributed amongst local community & voluntary groups.
Union representatives from the local trade unions who will all lose a day’s pay alongside thousands of other Bolton workers, put forward the idea at a joint council and trade union meeting on Monday 12th December.
It is estimated that the savings to Bolton Council from the strike day on 30th November would be less than £100,000. Councillors felt that they would probably need to use that money towards what has been described as a major overspend within the Adult Services social care budget.
Councillors and trade unions did however agree the following paragraph:
“This SLJCC notes that the proposed changes to the Local Government Pension Scheme are nothing to do with the viability of the scheme or people living longer and everything to do with the Government robbing the pension scheme to pay towards reducing the deficit”
Matt Kilsby, Unison Branch Chairperson said: “Across Bolton Council there are huge pressures on frontline services. Central government has made massive cuts to council budgets and this is really starting to bite. Bolton Council estimates that within essential adult community care services there is a potential overspend of around £2 million. It is not surprising that they will want to consider any monies available to help plug that gap, but it seems unlikely that the amount involved would make much difference. We do welcome support from councillors in recognising that proposed changes to Local Government Pensions are based entirely on reducing the deficit and nothing to do with the viability of pensions or people living longer”.
Ends…
Martin Challender
Bolton Unison
01204 338901
A Big Thank You To Everyone
I would like to say a huge thank you to all stewards and members who made yesterday a day to remember. Whilst many took strike action with a heavy heart, the fantastic turn out demonstrated that it was all worth while. The sheer fact of knowing that you are one of thousands of people taking action is in itself empowering.
Picket lines on Bolton Council buildings started in the early hours of the morning but we still didn’t beat council Chief Officers who were already there. Departmental Directors spent the day acting as highly paid commissionaires; opening doors and signing in those who had crossed picket lines. We really should get that task in our job descriptions if it is so well paid!
Thanks to Odessa café for providing bacon butties and drinks to the picket line, given the cold weather this was very welcome
At 11 am everyone came off the picket lines and assembled on the Town Hall Square. It is estimated that around 1500 people joined the rally from 29 different trades unions. UNISON was by far the largest contingent from Local Government and Health. Workers addressed the crowd together with speakers from the private sector and a disabled worker from Remploy, which is facing closure.
At 12.15 the crowd marched through the town and up to Derby Ward Labour Club, there were so many that some couldn’t get in. Thanks to the NUT for the pasties and thanks to the staff at Derby Ward Labour Club. Singer song writer Alun Parry was well received particularly as he had written a song especially for Bolton UNISON and the strike day called Greedy Fingers. You can go to Alun’s website to hear the song. More speakers addressed the meeting and messages of support were read from all 3 Bolton MP’s.
Thanks to the Leader of the Council and the many Labour politicians who refused to cross picket lines, joined the rally and marched with us.
The day ended at about 3pm with everyone truly shattered. But it was a day to remember a day when every striking worker could hold their head up high unlike those who chose to go into work with their heads down, ingratiating themselves to their bosses opening the door for them.
Media coverage has been generally good. A poll on Granada reports showed 80% support for the strike. Our own John Vickers, Branch Vice and Senior Steward at Bolton at Home featured on Granada Reports and did us proud, well done John.
Cameron is sounding increasingly desperate in his attacks on public service workers. To describe 2 million striking workers as a “damp Squib” really is ignoring the facts.
We all hope that the excellent turnout will shift the government when negotiations resume but the reality is this is a government ideologically driven and hell bent on finishing what Thatcher started. Public sector workers stand in the way of dismantling the welfare state. We have a job on our hands but if yesterday is anything to go by “united we can win”
Best Wishes
Bernie Gallagher
Branch Secretary
Bolton UNISON
Some Pictures Of The Day
Bolton Day Of Action On 
thanx Patrick Leacy, Unison caretaker
Greedy Fingers - New Song for N30 Strikes
Francis Maude Caught Out On C4
John Vickers From BAH on Granada Reports
Pension letters in 
Nice pensions for ministers
Fight for pensions Cllr Walsh rather than write half-truths
Strike decision hardest union had to make
Close tax loopholes instead of raiding teachers’ pensions
Where is the evidence, councillor?
Reality is that nothing needs to be done to our pensions
Civil servants asked to finance greed
Pension facts – not fiction
Why government cannot be trusted over public pensions
Will you pay off deficit?
Public sector will not just lay down
Workers will not pay for banks’ greed
Hush about public duties allowances
900 million good reasons why I am voting for action
Walk out over unfair pensions
Pensions have to be defended
‘Gold plated’ pensions a myth
Pensions: Striking is the only option
Support public sector strike to save benefits
Know the facts about public sector pensions
INDUSTRIAL ACTION 30 NOVEMBER 2011 GUIDANCE NOTE FOR EMPLOYEES - QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. When is the strike and what is it about?
The trades unions nationally have called a day of strike action on 30 November 2011 in protest at the government’s proposed changes to public sector pensions.
2. Does this apply just to Bolton?
No. This strike is a part of a national dispute and covers local authorities across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
3. Which unions are involved in Bolton?
The following unions have all notified the council of their intention to ballot for strike action on 30 November: UNISON, Unite, GMB, AEP, Aspect, UCATT, ATL & AMiE, ASCL, NAHT and NASUWT. In addition, the NUT have an existing ballot to take action from a previous ballot. If you have any questions about the position of your particular trade union, please contact them direct.
4. Can I book annual leave or flexi-time for those days?
The council announced on October 12 that no further requests for annual leave or flexitime on the day of the strike can be submitted, other than in exceptional circumstances. However, if you had already booked annual leave or flexi-time before October 12, this will be honoured.
5. Can I work from home on the days of the strike?
Working from home will not be sanctioned unless you normally would have been working from home on the day of the strike.
6. How does taking part in the strike affect my pay?
If you take part in the strike you will not be paid. The deductions will be equivalent to one fifth of a week’s pay and will be taken from January’s pay.
7. How does taking part in the strike affect my pension?
If you are a member of the Local Government Pension Scheme and take part in the strike, your pension will not be added to for the time you are on strike. You will however be able to restore lost days at an additional allowance. For more details about this, please contact the pension’s team.
8. I am not a Trade Union Member. Do I still come to work?
Yes. Only trade union members may legally take part in strike action. If you choose not to come to work, because you do not want to cross a picket line, your absence will be considered unauthorised and the council has the right to withhold your pay for that day. Pay will be deducted in the same way as those staff on strike.
9. What do I do if I cannot work on strike day because my child’s school is closed, but I can’t take annual leave?
The council will seek to approve emergency leave for those people who cannot work on 30 November because of caring and other responsibilities. Emergency leave can only be approved by Assistant Directors and is granted on an unpaid basis as described in questions 6 and 7.
10. Will any posts be exempted from the strike?
The council is in discussions with the unions to seek to agree a small number of exemptions for roles in highly critical services.Where an agreement is reached, the relevant Trade Union is responsible for issuing the employees concerned with an ‘exemption letter’ to help ease their passage should their place of work be picketed.
11. I intend to work but my normal place of work will be closed. What do I do?
Senior managers will advise all staff in advance where to report to if you wish to work but will be unable to report to your usual place of work. In the absence of any further instruction, if your normal workplace is closed please report to the appropriate location below:
· Children’s Services staff – 5th floor, Paderborn House
· Adult & Community Services staff – 2nd floor, Le Mans Crescent
· Environmental Services staff - Wellington Yard,Wellington St, Bolton
· Development & Regeneration staff – 1st floor, The Wellsprings
· Corporate Resources – ground floor, Bolton Town Hall (via staff/South entrance only)
· Chief Executive’s – 2 Floor, Bolton Town Hall (via staff/South entrance only)
At all sites, forms will be available which you must sign as you arrive and leave, to prove you have been at work and should therefore be paid. Please ensure that you have your council ID badge with you for access and security reasons.
Joint Letter to Members
Special Case Exemptions
Letter by Tony Shepherd, UNISON Retired members section and former Bolton Council Pensions Manager
Hi Bernie,
I decided to check out the Government's claim that "many people will be at least the same or better off" under their proposals for a career average pension scheme.
I've taken 2 actual employees pay and pension records and calculated pension benefits under the present rules and under the proposed changes.
I've calculated all pension benefits as 1/60th of pay (i.e. without any lump sum) so that it would give equivalent figures for the scheme from now onwards.
In calculating figures under the proposed changes, I have calculated pension on a yearly basis and then uprated each year with the appropriate cost of living increase which I have had to base on the previous rules i.e. based on R.P.I. as I don't have access to C.P.I.
figures. C.P.I. rates would presumably give worse pension figures as it is usually lower than R.P.I.
Employee A is one who started employment on 5th August 1974 and retired on 31st August 2009 and whose pay on starting was £1,479 p.a.
and on date of retirement was £34,549 p.a. Based on current rules but calculating pension as 1/60th on the entire service would have produced a pension of £20,196.18 p.a. When calculated on the proposed rules i.e. a career average and uprated each year this gives a pension of £15,184.72 p.a. which is considerably worse than current rules and is based on R.P.I.
Employee B is one who started on 6/10/99 and is still employed. This employee started on a salary of £10,407.00 p.a. and at 31/3/2011 was on a salary of £16,440.00 p.a. This employee has only had moderate pay increases and appears to have remained within the old Scale 1-2 range throughout. Based on current rules but calculating pension at 1/60th on the entire service would have produced a pension of £3,146.87 p.a.
When calculated on the proposed rules it gives a pension of £3,073.50 p.a. which is again worse than current rules and is again based on R.P.I.
I can produce figures to justify the above if required.
The only way I can envisage an employee being better off under the proposed rules is if an employee loses pay or remains on the same pay throughout their working life. If an employee lost pay, we would normally recommend that they freeze their pension so I'm not sure if this would really ever happen. An employee who remained on the same pay would presumably never receive cost of living rises which again sounds unlikely to me
Exemptions for ‘life and limb’ cover
Further to previous communication I would like to update members with the latest position in respect of exemptions for ‘life and limb’ cover on the strike day.
* Bolton Council has issued the trades unions with a list of posts, including minimum staffing levels which are required to provide emergency cover on 30thNovember.
* The trades unions have made some minor changes but have agreed that the number required are broadly acceptable
* Bolton Council will now seek to cover those shifts using non union workers
* If Bolton Council is unable to cover the shifts with non union workers then UNISON and GMB will be informed of the specific workers which they require the union to issue an exemption.
* UNISON and GMB will liaise and agree those exemptions and issue an exemption certificate, which you should show when crossing the picket line.
* You do not have to accept the exemption.
* You will be expected to make a donation to the UNISON hardship fund if you receive an exemption.
If there are any queries please contact your convenor or a member of the branch staff on 338901 or admin@unisonbolton.org
Bernadette Gallagher
Branch Secretary
Bolton UNISON
UNISON Contact Details
All UNISON stewards and Convenors can be contacted through the union office - Tel 338901 9am to 5pm Monday to Thursday, 9am to 4pm Friday or by e-mail at admin@unisonbolton.org. If you have an urgent query relating to the strike your departmental convenor can be contacted by mobile phone
Adult Services Convenor
Joan Pritchard - Jones Mobile 07775 642640
Children’s Services Convenor
Florence Hill Mobile 07979 242722
Phil Travers Mobile 07917 260711
Assistant Branch Secretary
Andrea Egan Mobile 07947 809447
Branch Secretary
Bernadette Gallagher Mobile 07969 511622
Unison National Website www.unison.org.uk
Advice on Pensions
The pension’s team would be unable to give the cost of buying back a day's strike to individual members as this is dependent on the rate of pay of each employee.
Employees must elect in writing to buy any strike days back once the dispute has ended and would then be given the cost.
To give employees an idea, based on a salary of £20,000 p.a. losing a day's pensionable service would mean a future loss of pension of £0.91 p.a. but to buy the day's strike back would cost £12.27 assuming the authority deducts a fifth of a week's pay. In my opinion, this isn't worthwhile for the vast majority of employees as it would take them 13.5 years to recover that cost.
There are 2 areas where it would probably be a good idea to buy back strike days:
The first is where the employee is definitely within a year of retiring. This is because the employee loses a day's service but their final year's pay is also reduced by any strike days taken in the last year. This reduces their pension per year for the rest of their life and is why Unison decided to reimburse the cost of buying them back so that the employee can still support the strike.
The second area is where employees are leaving or taking severance and is within the last year of doing it. Again, this reduces their service and also the final pay figure used to calculate their deferred pension on.
Tony Shepherd
UNISON Retired Members Section (Former Pensions Manager).
Bank of England’s pensioners escape inflation cut
The Bank of England, whose preferred measure of inflation is being forced on many UK pension schemes, leading to cuts of up to 20% in their payments, is continuing to use the previous higher rate of inflation for its own pension fund.
More
04/11/2011
UNISON hits back at pensions' strike ballot attacks
UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, has hit back at government ministers and business leaders who are trying to attack the legitimacy of yesterday's strike ballot result, on the basis of turnout.
In the UNISON ballot, 245,358 people – just under a quarter of a million members - voted for strike action, with 70,253 voting against - that is 76% of those voting, choosing industrial action.
Dave Prentis said:
"UNISON is a democratic organisation whose members have the right to vote in strike ballots. There was a 76% vote in favour of action and that democratic decision made by our membership is valid and legitimate and must be respected.
"Democracy in the UK is not perfect, and we all need to look at why turnouts have fallen. But for government ministers and business leaders to question the legitimacy of our result is a bit rich.
"The UK's democratic system gives people the right to vote, there is a consensus that whoever wins the popular vote governs the country. There is no requirement for an absolute majority of all potential votes, or of all votes cast. Indeed, earlier this year the alternative vote was overwhelmingly rejected by the British public.
"If you follow our critics' own logic, they would all have a rather shaky claim to power."
For example:
- In 2010 the Conservatives received only 23% of all votes that could have been cast.
- General Elections do not take into account the estimated 3.5million people who aren't even on the register, with those included Conservative support at the last election falls to 21%.
- In London, Boris Johnson won control of City Hall with only 24% of potential votes.
UNISON members voted overwhelming in favour of strike action, with 76% of members who voted choosing industrial action. In contrast:
. Boris won City Hall with 42% of votes cast . In 2010 the Conservatives received 36% of all votes cast.
Pensions: busting the myths
Prentis tells Labour: back us
‘jargon buster’ for pensions
Find out more about the threats facing our pensions here
Hardship Payments as a result of Industrial Action
Principles
Only hardship that is a direct consequence of the dispute can be addressed through the branch industrial action fund – other hardship should be referred to UNISON Welfare.
Hardship payments should be assessed against criteria, approved by the Branch and available to all members.
Proper care should be taken at all times, and procedures should be put in place to ensure that all financial activity is properly recorded.
It will be necessary to undertake a financial assessment of hardship to determine qualification.
All members to fully complete the appropriate claim form before a payment is made.
Payments will be authorised by a sub-committee of the Strike Committee to include the Treasurer and two other officers as appropriate.
All claims to be strictly confidential.
Criteria
The following list is not exhaustive and cases will be assessed on their individual merits: Unable to pay the following essential bills/costs:
Gas/Electric/Water
Mortgage
Rent
Council Tax liability
County Court judgements
Consolidated debt arrangements
Food
Child-care costs
Other dependent care costs
Medical costs e.g. dentist /prescription (not cosmetic)
Maintenance – child
Applicants on Attachment of earnings
The Effect of a Pay Reduction on Pension in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
View Pensions Power Point Presentation HERE
U<27 Unison Young Members
Pension Special
We know that for young workers, drawing a pension is a very long way into the future. We also know that for some, low pay, student debt, and rising living costs can make it seem too expensive to join – or to stay in – an occupational pension scheme. And now there are attacks on our pensions – making most of us work longer and pay more in contributions, only to get a smaller pension. To add insult to injury, the money that will be taken away from us in ‘savings’ under these changes will simply go towards paying for the crisis caused by the bankers – not to improving our pensions. More