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Co-op Funeral Workers on Brink of Powerful Victory.

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Date / 16th December 2004

Following a two-day conference at Eastbourne, local government unions the GMB and the T&G, who represent thousands of council workers, agreed to unite in a campaign to defend local authority pensions. The local government unions are now gearing up for strike action in the New Year over the government's proposals to reduce pension benefits for council workers.

Brian Strutton, GMB National Secretary for public services and Peter Allenson, T&G National Secretary for public services, said today:

"The average council pension is just £3,800 per year, way below most people's standard of living. It is a myth that council workers enjoy gold-plated pensions and these are some of the lowest paid workers in the country.

"The government is now propsing to fast track local government pension changes ahead of the rest of the public sector. They are uniquely expecting hard-pressed council workers to pay more for massively reduced benefits. If the government cuts council pensions any further, the tax payer will have to pay the cost of a generation of pensioner paupers."

The government is proposing a variety of changes to local government workers' pension schemes, some of which unions believe will greatly reduce the benefits to members. The proposals include:

• pensions benefits will be calculated on basic wage rather than including contractural overtime, bonuses and allowances;

• Increased contributions for the majority of pension scheme members;

• A reduction in pension benefits

• Introduce a defined contribution scheme for future worker

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