Construction union UCATT members working in local authorities or on outsourced local government contracts will begin receiving ballot papers from today (July 31), over proposed changes to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).

UCATT are recommending a YES vote in the consultative ballot. While the union is very concerned about the link between the LGPS retirement age and the state pension age, the overall offer is reasonable, as few UCATT members will have to pay additional contributions.

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Steve Murphy General Secretary of construction union UCATT, said: "UCATT are recommending that members vote yes. It is important that members vote. This is a reasonable offer and most members will not have to pay additional contributions."

The ballot closes on Wednesday 22nd August 2012.

Mr Murphy, added: "UCATT members are extremely concerned about linking the LGPS to the state retirement age. This is deeply unfair as our members undertake a lifetime of intense physical work and are often forced to retire through ill health or injury before the current state retirement age."

UCATT is campaigning alongside other public sector unions and the TUC against increases in the state retirement age.

(CD/GK)