Ann Vinden, UNISON Eastern Regional head of local government, said: Whilst the ballot of our members has given UNISON the green light to organise strike action over this issue, we would remind people that this really is the last resort. This is not a d

Ann Vinden, UNISON Eastern Regional head of local government, said: "Whilst the ballot of our members has given UNISON the green light to organise strike action over this issue, we would remind people that this really is the last resort.

"This is not a decision that members who deliver a range of public services will have taken lightly.

"Our members are rightly seeking parity with colleagues in other services such as the health service who have been guaranteed preserved rights to their pensions in the event of changes - why should local government workers be treated any differently?

"To get this point across and to get Government and employers to sit up and listen we are left with no alternative but to organise strike action.