National Secretary - Brian Strutton

National Officer - Sharon Holder

National Officer - Rehana Azam

Research Officer - Gerry Carr

Productivity Services Officer - Mick Hubbard

GMB's Public Services Section is for members of the Union who are employed in local authorities, schools, the NHS, further and higher education, passenger transport, social care, voluntary organisations and private sector contractors engaged in publicly funded work. There are 300,000 members in the Public Services Section, which is 50% of the entire Union membership.

The Government's proposals for our public services include massive reorganisation and an increased use of the private sector under Best Value, PFI and Public:Private Partnerships. GMB continues to campaign for additional resources from the public purse, improved standards and greater accountability.

The changing face of our public services requires a streetwise, flexible and powerful union that can safeguard our public services and all public service workers. The transfer of MPO - the Managerial and Professional Officers' Union - in February 2001 ensures GMB is the Union to represent and negotiate on behalf of all employees at every level in the Public Sector.

Latest News

18th December 2008:  GMB responds to consultation on miscellanous amendments to the LGPS Regulations.  Click here to view.

4 November 2008: Local Government Bulletin P20/08 - Local Government - Pay Update. Click here to view.

31 October 2008: ‘LGPS Update’ presentation to the GMB-Unite Local Government Pension Conference held in Eastbourne. Click here to view.

16 October 2008: Local Government Bulletin P19/08 - Local Government Pension Scheme Update. Click here to view.

15 October 2008: GMB publishes response to consultation on the rules of a New Local Government Pension Scheme in Northern Ireland. Click here to view.

15 October 2008: Local Government Bulletin P17/08. Click here to view.

2 October 2008: Local Government NJC Update - latest bulletin P16/08. Click here to view.

2 October 2008: Government publishes response on Admitted Body Status in the LGPS. Click here to view.

1 October 2008: GMB publishes bulletin on ill health retirement in the Local Government Pension Scheme. Click here to view.

1 September 2008: Local Government Pay - latest bulletin P14/08. Click here to view.

14 August 2008: GMB publishes response to draft guidance on ill health retirement in the Local Government Pension Scheme. Click here to view.

13 August 2008: Local Government Pay - latest bulletin P13/08. Click here to view.

28 July 2008: The government has published consultations on governance of and ill health retirement in the Local Government Pension Scheme. Click on the relevant link above to view these.

25 July 2008: Local Government Pay - latest bulletin P12/08. Click here to view.

7 July 2008: Local Government Bulletin - latest bulletin P11/08. Click here to view.

24 June 2008: Local Government Bulletin - latest bulletin P10/08. Click here to view.

2 June 2008: Local Government Pay 2008 - latest bulletin P9/08. Click here to view.

30 May 2008: GMB responds to government consultation on LGPS Sustainability. Click here to view.

29 April 2008: GMB publishes LGPS bulletin giving update on ill health provisions in the new scheme. Click here to view.

25 April 2008: Local Government Pay 2008 - latest bulletin P7/08. Click here to view.

16 April 2008: GMB responds to informal consultation on ABS in Local Government. Click here to view.

15 April 2008: Local Government - New Car Mileage Rates - latest bulletin P6/08. Click here to view.

3 April 2008: GMB publishes Bulletin on ABS consultation in Local Government. Click here to view.

2 April 2008 - Local Government Pay 2008 - latest bulletin P4/08. Click here to view.

28 March 2008: GMB publishes Bulletin ahead of the introduction of the new LGPS on 1^st April. Click here to view.

20 March 2008 - Local Government Pay 2008 - latest bulletin P2/08. Click here to view.

18 March 2008 - GMB publishes updated guide on the new Local Government Pension Scheme, including current guidance on ill health retirement. Click here to view.

15 February 2008 - GMB publishes Guides on Contributions and Benefits in the new look Local Government Pension Scheme from 1st April 2008. Click on relevant icons to view.

11 February 2008 - Prison Service Pay - latest news. Click here to view.

18 January 2008 - Prison Service Pay - latest bulletin. Click here to view.

15 January 2008 - Local Government Pay 2008 - latest bulletin P1/08. Click Here to view.

14th January 2008: GMB submits response to consultation on Ill Health Retirement in the Local Government Pension Scheme. Click here to view.

19 December 2007 - HM Prison Pay 2007 - Offer letter. Click Here to view.

3rd December 2007 - Local Government Pay - latest bulletin P19/07. Click Here to view.

Click here to download a GMB petition to register your opposition to Birmingham City Council's treatment of its workforce. Please return Completed petition sheets by the 3^rd of December to: Birmingham Joint Trade Union Side, C/o Unison, 3^rd Floor, Albany House, HurstSt, B5 4BD

30th November 2007: GMB publishes update on negotiations surrounding the Local Government Pension Scheme. Click here to view.

28th November 2007: Government launches consultation on ill health provision in the new Local Government Pension Scheme. Click here to view (word document - 178 kB)

20th November 2007: GMB publishes response to consultation on Governance in the Local Government Pension Scheme. Click here to view.

26th October 2007: GMB responds to consultation on future of Scotland's Local Government Pension Scheme. Click here to view.

6th September 2007 : Local Government Pay - latest bulletin P14/07. Click here to view.

5th September 2007: Consultation and GMB Response on minor amendment to Local Government Pension Scheme. Click here to view.

24th August 2007 : Local Government Pay - latest bulletin P13/07. Click here to view.

16th August 2007: GMB publishes briefing on proposals for a new Local Government Pension Scheme in Scotland. Click here to view.

10th August 2007: GMB publishes table outlining the difference between the current LGPS in Scotland and the proposed new scheme from 2009. Click here to view.

6th August 2007: GMB publishes bulletin following the launch of the consultation on the new Local Government Pension Scheme in Scotland. Click here to view.

24th July 2007: GMB publishes bulletin giving update on negotiations on Local Government Pension Scheme. Click here to view (pdf file - 99kB).

16th July 2007: The Department for Communities and Local Government have published a consultation on removing tapering from Rule of 85 protection in the Local Government Pension Scheme. Click here to view the consultation letter. Also see GMB's bulletin of 18 June for more information.

12th July 2007: Local Government Pay - latest bulletin. Click here to view

19th June 2007: GMB publishes update on reforms to the Local Government Pension Scheme in Scotland. Click here to view.

18th June 2007: GMB publishes Guide to Redundancy and Efficiency in Local Government with implications for the Local Government Pension Scheme. Click here to view.

18th June 2007: GMB publishes update on Further Protection Options for the Rule of 85 in the Local Government Pension Scheme. Click here to view.

13th June 2007: GMB responds to DCLG Consultation on removing the tapering of Rule of 85 protection in the Local Government Pension Scheme. Click here to view.

13th June 2007: GMB publishes bulletin of updates on Local Government Pension Scheme issues. Click here to view.

25th May 2007: DCLG launches an informal consultation on the removal of the tapering of Rule of 85 protection in the Local Government Pension Scheme. Click here to view document.

25th May 2007: GMB publishes updated material relating to the new benefit regulations for the new Local Government Pension Scheme.

• Click here to view briefing and examples.
• Click here to view table comparing old LGPS and new LGPS.

11th May 2007: GMB publishes guidance on Local Authority contract outsourcing and the Local Government Pension Scheme. Click here to view.

5th April 2007: GMB publishes bulletin on final benefit regulations for new Local Government Pension Scheme. Click here to view.

26th March 2007: GMB publishes responses to draft regulations amending the current LGPS and on the draft administration regulations for the new LGPS from 2008. Click on the relevant link to view.

1st March 2007: GMB publishes response to the first set of draft Regulations for the new Local Government Pension Scheme. Click here to view.

28th February 2007: GMB announces result of consultation on new Local Government Pension Scheme. Click here to view bulletin.

20th February 2007: Local Government Bulletin: WE'VE EARNED IT -WE DESERVE IT - Local Government NJC 2007 Pay Claim Submitted.

The local government pay claim on behalf of 1.4 million workers was formally submitted last week. Click here to view full Local Government Bulletin for 20th February 2007.

5th February 2007: Public Eye - Consultation on GMB policy regarding the new LGPS. GMB Public Services members should be receiving their copy of Public Eye with a voting paper through the post soon recommending endorsement of the GMB policy on the LGPS. We ask that those members who are or could be members of the LGPS return their voting papers by 12 noon on 28^th February. Please note that the proposals will have no effect whatsoever on pensions already in payment or any pensions already built up in the scheme.

HIGH QUALITY PUBLIC SERVICES - ACCESSIBLE TO ALL! BE ONE IN A MILLION; DEFEND PUBLIC SERVICES IN EUROPEBY SIGNING THE ON-LINE PETITION

As in the UK, public services throughout Europeare under threat from privatisation and liberalisation. European Unions are fighting back. The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), to which GMB affiliates through the TUC, has launched a campaign to protect public services so that high quality public services remain accessible to all. The ETUC wants 1 million signatures from across Europefor its on-line petition calling for European legislation protecting public services from privatisation, liberalisation and competition policy within the EU's Single Market. GMB supports the ETUC petition as part of our commitment to safeguarding public services and public service workers. Please sign the petition by clicking here.

For more information about the campaign to defend public services within the European Union click here & here.

9th January 2006: GMB information relating to the published draft regulations on the new Local Government Pension Scheme. Click here to view draft regulations.

• Click here to view GMB bulletin on the regulations.
• Click here to view GMB briefing and examples relating to the proposed benefit changes.
• Click here to view table highlighting the differences between the current and new LGPS.

18th December 2006: GMB publishes briefing and examples for proposed new local government pension scheme, plus comparison with other public sector schemes. Click here to view.

24th November 2006: GMB publishes update on Government proposals for the new-look Local Government Pension Scheme. Click here to view.

13th November 2006: GMB publishes update to Local Government redundancy compensation and the provision of enhanced pension benefits. Click here to view.

13th October 2006: GMB Publishes Bulletin on Draft Amendment Regulations clarifying Age Discrimination Regulations and the effect this may have on the Local Government Pension Scheme redundancy enhancements. Click here to view.

4th October 2006: GMB Publishes Update on Developments in the Local Government Pension Scheme. Click here to view. Also Examples are Published Showing How a New LGPS will Operate with Protection for Rule of 85. Click here to view the examples.

29th September 2006: GMB submits its response to the DCLG's Consultation Document "Where Next? - Options for a New Look LGPS in England and Wales". Click here to view.

29th September 2006: A decision has been reached in Unison's Judicial Review regarding the government's decision to remove the Rule of 85. The judge has found against Unison's case. The GMB understands the reasons for the judgement are that the Rule does breach age discrimination law and in any event cost, not discrimination law compliance, was the main factor influencing the DCLG's reason for removing the Rule of 85.

26th Septmber 2006

Northern Ireland Normalisation-Departmental Agreement Reached On Redundancy Package. Click here to view

16th August 2006: GMB launches member consultation on new LGPS priorities. Click here to view.

31st July 2006: GMB Submits Response to the DCLG Consultation on changes to the LGPS Redundancy Compensation Provisions. Click here to view.

27th July 2006: DCLG lays Regulations extending Rule of 85 protection in the LGPS. These regulations are in line with the draft Regulations published on 2nd June 2006 (see below).

• Click here to view the DCLG Regulations (PDF file 29kB)
• Click here to view the DCLG cover letter accompanying the DCLG Regulations (PDF file 44kB)
• Click here to view Examples of how Proposed Protection will Apply to Members of the LGPS (PDF file 30kB)
• Click here to view GMB Bulletin on the Protection Regulations

5th July 2006: GMB Publishes Bulletin and Briefing on DCLG Proposals for the Future of the Local Government Pension Scheme.

• Click here to view GMB's Bulletin highlighting the proposals
• Click here to view GMB Pension's Briefing detailing the proposals
• Click here to view DCLG covering letter to the proposals
• Click here to view the full Consultation Document
• Click here to view the DCLG's Question & Answer Briefing on the Proposals

21st June 2006: Unions Submit Response to New Local Government Pension Scheme Costing Proposals. Click here to view.

2nd June 2006: GMB Publishes Consultation on Draft Protection Regulations for the Local Government Pension Scheme. Click here to view.

• Click here to view DCLG Consultation on Protection letter (PDF file 37kB)
• Click here to view LGPS Draft Protection Regulations (PDF file 71kB)
• Click here to view Examples of how Proposed Protection will Apply to Members of the LGPS (PDF file 30kB)

26th May 2006: DCLG Publishes Draft Regulations for Discretionary Compensation on Termination of Employment for Consultation.

• Click here to view DCLG Covering Letter
• Click here to view the Draft Regulations

19th May 2006: GMB Publishes Update on Negotiations on the Future of the Local Government Pension Scheme. Click here to view.

15th May 2006: GMB Publishes Bulletin detailing how Local Government Pension Scheme members can make up pensionable service lost through strike action. Click here to view.

21st April 2006: GMB Publishes Update on Local Government Pension Negotiations. Click here to view.

12th April 2006: Bulletin on Strike Suspension. Click here to view. Joint Statement. Click here to view.

12th April 2006: PR: Suspending Local Government Pensions Strike Action. Click here to view.

31st March 2006: GMB Publishes Bulletin relating to Local Government Strikes and Regulations to Remove the Rule of 85 from the Local Government Pension Scheme. Click here to view.

30th March 2006: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister lays Regulations removing the Rule of 85 from the Local Government Pension Scheme and introducing changes due as a result of the Finance Act. Links to regulations and parliamentary statements can be seen by clicking on the links below.

Text of Regulations

Written Statement from the Local Government Minister - 30th March 2006

Written Statement from the Local Government Minister - 28th March 2006

30th March 2006: GMB announces further strike action relating to the ongoing Local Government Pensions Dispute. Click here to view.

27th March 2006: Press Release summarising why GMB Local Government Workers are striking released. Click here to view.

23rd March 2006: GMB Publishes Update on Local Government Strike. Click here to view.

21st March 2006: GMB announces result of strike ballot over Local Government Pensions. Click here to view.

20th March 2006: GMB Publishes Information relating to Local Government Pensions Strike. Click here to view.

24th February 2006: GMB submits a response to the ODPM consultation on Draft Regulations amending the LGPS. Click here to view.

25th January 2006: GMB publish new magazine for members working in Public Services - Public Eye. Click here to find out more

23rd January 2006: GMB Authorises Strike over Local Government Pensions. Click here to view.

2nd December 2005: Update on Local Government Pension Scheme Negotiations Published. Click here to view.

22nd November 2005: GMB Press Release: Update on talks concerning the Local Government Pension Scheme. Click here to view.

3rd November 2005: GMB and other unions met with the Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott yesterday, 2 November. This was intended to be when he would give his decision on the 85-year rule and the "costs" associated with his reinstatement of that rule back in March. Instead he has delayed his decision for a further two weeks to allow time for more talks for unions and employers to try to find a compromise. More...