UNISON Scotland Protecting Our Pensions Scottish Labour Motion

Scottish Labour Party Conference

Overwhelming Labour Vote wins review commitment from Minister.

Passed: Contemporary Composite 1

(Embracing Contemporary Resolutions 2, 3 and 4)

Conference notes with concern the Scottish Executive announcement on the 17^th January 2006 to abolish the rule of 85 for members of the Local Government Pensions Scheme (LGPS) in Scotland.

Conference recognises that the proposed changes will have a detrimental impact on many working people in a wide range of occupations in Scotland who support vital public services, often on low wages. This includes workers in local government, the environment agency, police support, cleaning and waste companies, voluntary sector, bus companies, higher education and others.

Conference notes:

That this decision means that LGPS members are denied the same rights and protections as members of other public sector pension schemes which have agreed to allow retirement at the age of 60 on a full pension.
That the framework pensions agreement negotiated last Autumn by Trade and Industry Secretary Alan Johnston and the public sector trade unions which allows the people currently employed within many public services to contribute to be able to retire at 60. These discussions were a consequence of the agreement reached at the national (UK) policy forum in Warwick 2004 that "any proposed changes to the public sector pension scheme are subject of detailed consultation with the relevant trade unions with a view to agreeing changes that are both fair in their impact on public sector workers and based on firm evidence and sound analysis". The Trade Unions have welcomed the sensible framework agreement which is affordable, honours promises made to staff and allows hard working public sector workers to retire with dignity.
Recent comments made by EU Commissioners on this issue
indicating that changes to the Rule of 85 would not necessarily be a requirement under EU Legislation.
Previous assurances made to COSLA and the relevant trade unions to retain the Rule of 85 for members of the LGPS in Scotland.
The reaction from Tories, Liberal Democrats and many in the media, who have united to condemn the agreement. Liberal Democrat Pensions Spokesman David Laws described it as "neither sensible nor affordable". Sixteen business leaders who wrote to The Times condemning the agreement were subsequently found to have personal pension plans allowing them to retire at 60 on a pension 26 times the average received by a public service worker.
Members of the LGPS contribute to the scheme and want to ensure that there is a viable and sustainable future for it.
That the financial standing of Scotland’s Local Government Schemes is significantly healthier than schemes elsewhere in the UK and therefore calls for a distinctive approach.

Conference calls on the Scottish Executive to review its legal advice regarding the 85 Rule and work with Trade Unions and COSLA to find a negotiated settlement.