Regional Briefings April 2011

Campaign Presentation

The crisis is not of our making

"The price of this financial crisis is being borne by people who absolutely did not cause it, now is the period when the cost is being paid, I'm surprised that the degree of public anger has not been greater than it has."Mervyn King – addressing the Treasury Select Committee

Don’t panic – nothing is going to change immediately

Government says no cherry picking Hutton - all 27 recommendations must be considered

Negotiations with government run until at least June Then the Government will need to consult over

proposals to increase employee contributions for 12 weeks and departments discuss Hutton

No increases in employee contributions until April 2012

There is commitment not to reduce benefits earned before the date of any change in the schemes.

Changes to schemes likely to be for benefits earned after 2014/15

What are the key issues to address today?

What are the campaign objectives?

What are the campaign tools?

What are the key threats to public sector pensions?

Campaign Objectives - no one can do everything but everyone one can do something!

Prepare members and staff to resist attacks on public sector pensions and their members

Support negotiators to achieve the best outcome possible and prepare for industrial action

Make sure that UNISON members and staff gain a greater understanding of public sector pension schemes – remove the pension jargon fog

Campaign structure – mobilising all resources

National project team, Service Group Liaison Committee and National Service Groups

Pensions Unit/Communications/LAOS/Labour Link/MLU/RMS all keyed in

Regional lead officers and organising teams and regional lay member structures

Branches to have pension champions and pension contacts – in regional and national networks

Champions and Contacts – training and support will be given

Pensions Champions - Will take a greater role by making make sure union briefings and information on changes topublic sector pensions are understood by the branch, workplace pension contacts and members. They will take a lead role in Supporting contacts, developing local campaign initiatives making sure that the branch and members are prepared to take action to protect public sector pensions.

Pension Contacts - Distribute material, take actions whenrequested. They will be the workplace feedback link betweenmembers and the campaign/negotiators. Talk to and recruit nonmembers.

Where can you find everything?

Campaign Web Pages

http://www.unison.org.uk/pensions/protectour.asp

Advice on Pensions

http://www.unison.org.uk/pensions/index.asp