Members vote YES in pensions ballot

Members of UNISON, the UK’s largest union, have today voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action to protect their pensions.

The union balloted members including nurses, schools staff, social workers, care assistants, water staff, paramedics, police staff, school dinner ladies, and cleaners.

Overall: Yes:   245,358

              No:       70,253



Local Government  (Including Scotland)

Yes                      171,428

No                        54,500

76% in favour – Turnout 30%

NHS (including Scotland)                       

Yes                     73,930
                                                           
No                      15,753

82% in favour – Turnout 25%

Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON said:

The decisive yes vote in the ballot, reflects the deep concern that our members have over Government ministers’ proposals for their pensions. Yesterday’s statement in Parliament was a marked improvement on earlier proposals.

But, it is important to understand that the statement has to be translated into offers in the scheme specific talks. We still have had no offer in those negotiations, where such an offer can legitimately be made.

We support the TUC day of action on 30 November, but will be negotiating right up to then and beyond to get a fair deal for our members.
Senior lay officials of the union are meeting throughout the afternoon to discuss the latest Government statement on pensions and to decide what action to take as a result of the strike ballot.
Separate figures for Scotland because there are separate public sector pension schemes.

Local Government Scotland            

Yes                           21,799
                                                           
No                            7881

73% in favour - Turnout 32%

NHS Scotland                                  

Yes                         13,236

No                          1,880 

88% in favour - Turnout 33%