| UNISON City of Edinburgh Branch |
|
 |
|
|
26 April pensions strike suspended A breakthrough in negotiations between the joint unions and local government employers at UK level has lead to suspending the UK action on 25-27 April, including the Scottish strike on 26 April. Scottish branches are due to meet on 24 April to hear an update on talks. UNISON's Industrial Action committee agreed to suspend the strike action because the joint union/LGA statement provides a framework for negotiations on the future of the pension scheme and full protection for existing scheme members. Separate discussions are taking place in Scotland with the Scottish Executive, the SPPA and CoSLA to build on this UK position and resolve the matter here. Further information should be available at the branches meeting on the 24 April. Matt Smith, UNISON's Scottish Secretary said; "We welcome the shift in the employer's position, and have suspended action to allow progress in the talks in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. There is a lot of detailed work and negotiations to be done over the coming weeks." "The show of solidarity in the action on March 28 and the likelihood of similar support on 26 April has achieved this breakthrough. "We trust that employers and government throughout the UK will use this time to establish protection for LGPS members that mirrors that received by other public sector workers." Meat Hygiene: The week long threatened strike of meat inspectors across the UK kick-started the offer of talks from English employers and the UK government. UNISON's Scottish Council congratulated the members of the MHS in Scotland for their solid commitment to the action and resistance to threats, intimidation and smears, voiced by the MHS and the meat industry. John Stevenson, UNISON's Edinburgh chair said "It is no accident that this move to talks came on the on the eve of a key strike of key staff. MHS members deserve our thanks and congratulations for levering this step forward. |
||||