Discussions are continuing on the future of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). NUT LGPS members are asked to give us their views by joining in an NUT online survey at www.surveymonkey.com/s/LGPS2012.

Shortly before Christmas, an agreement was reached between the local government unions and local authority employers on principles for taking forward discussions on the future of the scheme which include postponing any changes to the LGPS until 2014. Now the unions and employers are negotiating to try to find a common position which can be put to the Government for agreement.

The campaign to defend public sector pensions is gathering momentum. The NUT has
already taken successful strike action in schools on 30 June. Now the NUT is preparing to
ballot members in school improvement and support services in defence of the Local
Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).

The Government's cuts programme is savaging the local authority education services provided to schools, young people and local communities, with services and job lost.
Contact your local MP to protest at the Government's cuts programme simply by entering your postcode - click here to do so.

This Digest gives information on a number of issues of interest including Soulbury pay, pensions and jobs.

The Soulbury Committee met on Monday 6 July 2009 to open negotiations on the Officers’ Side 2009 pay and conditions of service claim. No agreement was reached and negotiations will continue in September.

NUT Soulbury-paid members are to receive an additional pay increase for 2008. The additional 0.3 per cent increase, which will be backdated to 1 September 2008, takes the total Soulbury pay increase for 2008 to 2.75 per cent. Christine Blower, NUT Acting General Secretary and Leader of the Soulbury Officers' Side, said

"We are very pleased to have secured a higher 2008 pay increase but action is still needed to close the pay gap between Soulbury staff and senior teachers, their traditional pay comparators."

Soulbury Digest Spring 2009 (PDF)

The Soulbury Committee has reached agreement on pay for September 2008. The agreement provides for an immediate 2.45 per cent increase backdated to 1 September 2008. It also provides for the Soulbury Officers’ Side to return to the issue of pay in the New Year. The NUT is now seeking your views on the agreement.