This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Industrial action by local government staff
27/03/2006
People across Scotland who rely on vital public services will be the ones who suffer when local government employees take industrial action tomorrow, Public Service Reform Minister Tom McCabe said today.
The Executive has discussed the proposed removal of Rule of 85 with the trades unions and offered to work with the trades unions and COSLA in the "earnest search" for a solution.
Mr McCabe said:
"I am extremely disappointed trades unions have decided to press ahead with their industrial action. The only people who will suffer as a result of this industrial action will be all the people who rely on local government for a whole range of vital public services.
"When I met with the trades unions last week in an attempt to head off this strike, I offered them what I believe is a win-win scenario.
"The largest public sector union, Unison, has raised judicial proceedings in England in order to test the position. Should the courts decide their position is correct, then we will act in line with that finding.
"The Executive has reviewed and tested its position but remains firmly of the view that the EC Equal Treatment Framework Directive 2000/78/EC has rendered the rule of 85 in local government pensions discriminatory in terms of age.
"But if the courts decide that Unison's position is incorrect, we recognise withdrawal of the Rule of 85 creates an anomalous situation compared to other public sector schemes. We will therefore work with the trade unions to earnestly seek ways to offer a solution.
"We cannot guarantee at this point how many local government workers such a solution would cover, but I can confirm that we will examine the option of offering transitional protection for all existing members. These are obviously complex matters and the search for an affordable and sustainable solution cannot be rushed."