01.05.12
Unison members will not strike again
The union Unison has stated there is ‘no mandate’ for further industrial action, following a ballot on NHS pension reforms. Of 300,000 members balloted, 50.4% voted to reject the proposals and 49.5% to accept them. However, turnout was less than 15%.
The Government wants staff to work longer and take a pension income based on their career average salary rather than their final salary. This is necessary to support the growing ageing population in theUK, they state.
“The low turnout coupled with the close vote shows there is no mandate to endorse the pensions' proposals, but equally no mandate to take further industrial action,” said Unison’s head of health Christina McAnea.
“The turnout is disappointing but in some ways is not unexpected... [it] reflects the low morale and current difficult state of the NHS.”
Unison will now consider its next steps and consult with other health unions.
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