Monday 20 February 2012

UNISON joins High Court appeal over pensions

UNISON, the UK's largest union, will today(20/02/2012) join a group of unions in an appeal to the High Court over which measure of inflation is used to calculate annual pension increases.

In his June 2010 budget, George Osborne announced, without consultation, that the government would use the consumer price index (CPI) instead of the retail price index (RPI).

When the change comes into effect in April 2012 the value of public sector pensions will fall by around 15% because CPI is around 1.2% lower on average than RPI.

This is the latest stage in the unions' legal challenge, launched in October 2011. The unions case is that the switch is not allowed under social security legislation and that it goes back on assurances given by successive governments that the RPI inflation would be used when determining pension increases.

Dave Prentis, UNISON general secretary, said:

"The decision to switch to using the CPI instead is a cynical move to pay down the deficit. This move could cost pensioners thousands. They deserve better. RPI is a much fairer reflection of the costs that retired people face - because, unlike CPI, it includes housing costs.

"Pensioners now, and in the future are being unfairly targeted to pay down a deficit they did nothing to cause. Meanwhile, it's still bonuses for the bankers. This government may try to claim that we are all in this together - but pensioners will not be fooled."

Tuesday 14 February 2012

Pensions dispute – frequently asked questions

If you are unsure about what's happening to public sector pensions you should find the answer in UNISON's FAQ document.
click to view answers

Wednesday 8 February 2012

In need of help or advice about work problem

For help and advice at work please contact your local UNISON steward or Health and Safety rep, list of names and numbers available on home page, we are here to help.

If you don't know who your local UNISON rep is, get in touch with UNISONdirect on 0845 355 0845, and UNISONdirect will provide you with the relevant information and help you to make contact with your local rep.







2024 Annual General Meeting

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