UNISON is Britain's biggest union, representing almost 1.3 million people working in the UK's public services. We negotiate better pay and conditions, help individuals in trouble and campaign for a safer, fairer society.

UNISON Manchester represents well over 11,000 employees in Manchester City Council; from housing officers to teaching assistants, caretakers to library staff, environmental health officers to social and support workers. The Branch also represents members in the voluntary and private sector who provide services to the public.

Latest News:

Pension negotiations start afresh

The government has now revoked the regulations that would have increased the retirement age for local government workers to 65. Any members caught by the changes will be recompensed.

When they were first announced in March, the regulations sparked off a ballot among UNISON's 800,000 local government members, in which 75% voted to strike. The threat of strike action was enough to force the government to climb down.

UNISON Manchester Branch Secretary, Tony Caffery, said he was pleased the government had kept its pledge to withdraw these regulations. "The massive vote for strike action forced the government to think again. We suspended our action with the promise that the regulations would be withdrawn, and I'm glad the government have kept their word."

Key to UNISON agreeing to withdraw the planned strike was a commitment to negotiations on all aspects of our pension schemes, with nothing ruled out, and nothing ruled in.

The first of a planned series of special meetings took place in early July, under the umbrella of the Public Services Forum. Secretary of State Alan Johnson MP chaired the meeting and was accompanied by John Hutton MP, Public Services Minister and member of the Cabinet. UNISON's General Secretary Dave Prentis led the discussions for the trade unions. The unions tabled a set of key principles designed to underpin the discussions and negotiations on pension 'reform'. Naturally, we'll keep members informed of further progress on the ongoing pension negotiations.

On this site you can:

• get help and advice

• contact the branch

• find out about UNISON membership

• download an application form

• check up on the latest Branch news using the Mancunion link

• connect to other useful websites

If you have any problems using the site, please tell us by e-mailing from this link.

Last updated: 29 August 2005