Statement after TUC PSLG meeting

TUC General Secretary, Brendan Barber

 

Speaking after a meeting of public sector unions at the TUC yesterday (Monday), TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

'Since the day of action we have seen a new atmosphere in the negotiations. The state of play varies between sectors.

'Progress has been made in health and local government where key principles for further negotiation in heads of agreement will provide the basis for further talks in the New Year.

'It's important to stress that no agreements have been reached, but unions now have proposals to put to their executives and members.

'We have reached a stage where the emphasis in most cases is in giving active consideration to the new proposals that have emerged rather than considering the prospect of further industrial action.

'We have been talking for many months but since the day of action that involved millions and with the intensive discussions over recent days we now see change. Accrual rates are more favourable then were originally proposed, there is enhanced protection for those nearing retirement, Fair Deal protection for those whose jobs transfer out of the public sector and there will be no adverse changes to pensions for 25 years.'

Health pensions - UNISON response

UNISON, the UK’s largest public sector union, confirmed today that it has received a final offer from the government on NHS pensions, and agreed to take it back to its Health Service Executive.
Under the proposals, those less than ten years away from retirement would not face any change to their pension, and those earning less than £26,000 would be protected from an increase in contributions next year.
Also included is a pledge to consult over the impact of these changes on staff in the emergency services - including paramedics - as well as a commitment to Fair Deal. This allows those transferred out of the public sector to retain their right to stay in the pension scheme. The proposals are for a career average pension scheme, with an improved accrual rate.
The union will now take the details of the proposed scheme back to its membership-led health committee, who are due to meet on 10 January. The committee will then decide on whether to accept, reject, or formally consult NHS members on the proposals.

Christina McAnea, UNISON Head of Health, said:
"This is the government’s final offer. On some issues - such as contribution rates for the low paid next year, and for people close to retirement - we have made progress.
"On others, we always knew this would be a damage limitation exercise – aimed at reducing the worst impacts of the government’s pension changes.
"We’ve always believed public sector workers deserve decent pensions, and our members have shown they are willing to take action to defend these.

Public sector losing jobs 12 times faster than private sector can create them

Rob Johnston

Responding to the latest unemployment figures Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Rob Johnston said:
"No amount of spin can put a gloss on these terrible figures. Worryingly the latest rise in job losses looks less like a bad blip and more like a trend of entrenched high unemployment, with new records being set each month for the number of women and young people out of work.

"Ministers will desperately attempt to the lay the blame on the Eurozone but it is the UK government alone that is responsible for the huge cull of public sector employment. There are now 12 public sector workers losing their jobs for every new post which is created in the private sector.

"Rather than picking a fight with itself over Europe, the government must urgently turn its attention to the jobs crisis and invest in employment schemes to get people back into work and stave off the risk of mass long-term unemployment."

TUC welcomes benefits uprating

Commenting on the announcement today (Monday) that benefits will be uprated in line with inflation from April 2012, Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Robert Johnston said:

"After previous suggestions that benefits might not be uprated in line with inflation, today's announcement that April's uprating will be inflation-linked is welcome news.

"The government has already reduced the value of benefits by moving from the RPI to the lower CPI measure of inflation, and by introducing many benefit cuts for both working and out of work families. It is the least they can do for the millions of households facing unemployment this Christmas to guarantee that their benefits will rise by the CPI rate in the new year." 

Touchstone Economic Dashboard: Charting a way to recovery

The TUC, through the Touchstone blog have just launched a new 'Economic Dashboard' that enables you to quikly see the key economic trends since the financial crash of 2008.

The charts will be updated every month so do keep an eye out on the trends.

The Dashboard is also embeded on the side bar of this blog so you can see it there easily although its a little small. For the full picture do visit the full Economics Dashboard on Toucshone

Manufacturing boost for Derbyshire/Staffordshrie

It has been great to learn of the recent manufacturing boost in Derbyshire/Staffordshire. The new jobs clearly shows that, with investment and support, the Midlands’ manufacturing sector can be the engine of growth that we all so desperately want to see.

JCBJCB have today announced that they will create around 350 jobs. The first 50 jobs will be in Foston Derbyshire with a further 300 jobs to be created over the next few years at the various plants across Staffordshire. The £31 million investment in JCB’s future was made possible through £4.5 million investment from the Regional Growth Fund.
ToyotaFollowing a £100million investment Toyota will be creating 1,500 posts at Burnaston over the next two years.

Nestlé

Nestlé is investing £110 million into its coffee factory in Hatton. It is anticipated that this investment will create 300 skilled jobs, increasing the workforce from 500 to 800 and establishing Nestlé ‘s wn training academy.

Rolls-Royce It has also been reported that Rolls-Royce have increased their Derby workforce by 800. Around 50% of these are new jobs with the other half involving relocations from other Rolls-Royce plants around the UK. A number of these new jobs include graduate and apprenticeships.
Rolls-Royce’s order book has more than doubled since 2006 and currently stands at more than £50bn with more than 2,400 firm orders for the Trent engines that are designed and built in Derby.

The Regional Growth Fund has shown what can be done with Government support for manufacturing. We all know that our economy needs better paying, quality jobs and that we need to increase our manufacturing base. We need the Government to learn the lessons of Derby to ensure that we see a continued investment in our region and ongoing support for our manufacturing sector

The recent successes of course are clouded by the Government’s disastrous handling of the Bombardier Thameslink contract. If the Government would only climb down over Thameslink and also ensure that Bombardier is granted the E-Voyager and Southern contracts then we can all celebrate the areas recent manufacturing upturn.

Investment in manufacturing is crucial if we are to see the return of growth. We have already seen what impact the Regional Growth Fund can have. Government support can, and does, lever in private sector investment. Now is the time for the Government to step up to the plate and deliver the long overdue, serious, sustained and significant investment in manufacturing that we need to see to secure growth and a sustainable, re-balanced economy.

Pensions Justice Birmingham Rally

Brendan Barber speaking at the NIA

On November 30th, for the TUC's 'Day of Action', thousands of public service workers piled into Birmingham's National Indoor Arena for a rally addressed by both striking public service workers and union leaders all campaigning for Pensions Justice.

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber, said "We are right to take a stand. Our campaign will go on until we have justice for every public servant."
"We found out yesterday that the government is to step up the attacks on public sector staff with a continuing pay cap and pay variation at a local level."

"This is on top of an increase in the state pension age for anyone under 40 – a toxic triple that will do nothing to get the economy moving again, but will simply hit consumer confidence."

Tony Woodley from UNITE said "We are speaking for the victims of global capitalism. It is the bankers who got us into this, but the pigs are still feeding in the trough."
UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, said "We say to bankers: ‘You caused this crisis and you pay for it. You should clear up this mess’."

Suzanne Rule, a newly qualified teacher from Rugby, NASUWT member and first time striker said "I am 25 and I live at home with my parents. I love them but I want to start my life. Paying more towards my pension and dealing with a pay freeze means that I and all teachers will be taking a hefty pay cut."

Lee Charlton a refuse collector at Birmingham City Council and UNITE member told the rally how the Government's raid on his pension would represent the third, real terms pay cut he will have suffered in the last couple of years

Before the rally Brendan Barber joined picket lines at Handsworth Library and at Birmingham City Hospital where he met with members from many unions, many taking industrial action for the first time.

Prior to the TUC Pensions Justice rally at the NIA, thousands of public service workers took part in a joint public services trade union march through Birmingham city centre.