Dave Prentis, UNISON GS, moving composite 2 on Public Services, won two standing ovations when he called on the Labour leadership to back public sector workers in our fight for fair pensions. Dave noted that very demand had been unscrupulously omitted from the composite. Prior to the debate Dave had set out the UNISON position on the LabourList blog:
'To those who say that we shouldn't strike - they should know that public service workers do not take strike action lightly - but enough is enough. In the conference hall today, I know there will be many public sector workers - there is probably one in your family, or one could be living next door to you. You'll know they care about the services they provide, and all they want is the pension deal, they signed up for, to stand.'
http://labourlist.org/strikes---we-know-we-can-count-on-labour-for-support
'There is still time to reach a deal - but we will be ready to act if government ministers' continue to refuse to negotiate seriously. UNISON is balloting our 1.1 million of our members who are affected by the proposed cuts, for action on pensions - the biggest ballot in UK history.
Our first day of action is scheduled for 30 November- and we know we can count on Labour for support. We will be organising local and national protests, leafleting the public and taking every opportunity get our message across. Join us - www.unison.org.uk/pensions