UNISON - East of England Ambulance Branch

While UNISON members are not taking action over pensions today, we stand shoulder to shoulder with members of PCS, NUT and ATL – their fight is our fight.

Up and down the country, many UNISON members will be visiting the picket lines, and taking part in demonstrations to show them support. Our advice to school and college staff is clear – do not cover unless it is part of your job.

I also send my full support to UNISON members in Camden, Doncaster, and Birmingham, taking action today over job cuts. I will be in Southampton, addressing a rally as they go on strike, part of a rolling programme, over cuts.

Our message to the government is clear – put contribution rates, retirement ages and the move from RPI to CPI to calculate pension payments on the agenda when talks reconvene in July. We want to reach a negotiated settlement - avoiding action - but the clock is ticking.