Press release from the TUC

Unions announce public sector pensions campaign date



A meeting today (Tuesday 11 January) of the TUC's Public Service Liaison Group (PSLG) has chosen Friday 18 February as a nationwide day of campaigning for union members to voice their concerns at the detrimental changes the Government is planning to make to the pensions of all public sector workers.



Although the changes to the various pensions schemes vary from sector to sector, the unions are united in their desire to preserve decent pensions for workers across the public services. Of particular concern is the Government's determination to increase the retirement age for all public sector workers.



When the PSLG last met before Christmas, the unions were keen for an urgent meeting to take place with senior Government ministers. The TUC is to keep up the pressure on ministers for this high level meeting to occur as soon as possible.



TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: 'This issue is not going to go away. Unions and their members are very angry at the changes the Government is proposing. There is enormous concern at the impact these proposals will have upon the lives of millions of public sector workers. We are determined to keep up the pressure on the Government.'



In just over five weeks' time, on 18 February, the TUC is to co-ordinate a campaigning day of activities so that unions can argue the case to protect public sector pensions in their local and regional media, organise local rallies and other campaign events, and put pressure on local constituency MPs. To coincide with the campaign day, the TUC is also to seek a meeting with David Miliband, the Cabinet Office Minister with responsibility for responsibility for the Public Services Forum.

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Trades Union Congress

Congress House

Great Russell Street

London WC1B 3LS




12 Jan 2005 03:49