UNISON activists voted yesterday to give the union’s negotiators the green light to continue discussions with government ministers on changes to public sector pensions.

More than 250 key elected national, regional, rank and file activists met at UNISON’s headquarters to discuss the details of the proposals for the Local Government and Health pension schemes. They agreed to the frameworks negotiators have developed with Government ministers since 30 November.

This follows a consultation exercise over the last few weeks. The majority of Local Government Branches in the Southwest voted to continue with talks. City of Plymouth UNISON was one of them.

Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary said

“UNISON is a democratic union, and in today’s consultation, our elected activists from every service group in the local government pensions scheme endorsed the framework proposals we have negotiated, paving the way for more in depth talks.

“Our health members gave their support to talks on the NHS scheme entering a final phase, due to end in late January. When we have a final offer, we will take it back to members in a full ballot.

“Our action on 30 November got ministers back to the table, since then we have made some real progress. No contribution rises in local government until 2014 will be a real boost for many families that are hard hit by the pay freeze, and struggling to cope. The overwhelming majority of NHS scheme members won’t face contribution rate rises in 2012.

“We will continue to campaign to secure the best possible deal, which our members will then be consulted on. Should negotiations fail, our industrial action ballot, which remains live, gives us the option to take more strike action.”