Union leaders defend pensions sell-out
On Sunday 17 June, the local government conference of the public sector union Unison voted for a ballot of members over the new local government pensions deal. After six months of silence while negotiations with government were underway, Unison leadership is now encouraging its members to accept a deal which involves working until 68 and accepts a switch to a career average (rather than final salary) scheme. The ballot will run from 30 July-27 August, during the school holidays, when many Unison workers will be away from the workplace and unable to discuss the issue collectively. 22 emergency...