LEADERS of Bolton’s biggest trade union branch have backed calls to reject the Government’s latest offer on public service pensions.

About 50 Unison representatives from Bolton Council, Bolton at Home and the town’s colleges voted to oppose the current Government pensions offer and call for further strikes.

Matt Kilsby, chairman of Bolton Unison, said: “Our members do not want to work longer, pay more and get less in retirement.

“We cannot allow this Government to get away with taking £900 million from our pensions. The current offer is unacceptable and our union must reject it.” Bolton Unison represents 6,000 public service workers in the borough.

Yesterday the North West TUC said 30,000 jobs had already been lost from public services in the region since 2010. North West TUC secretary Alan Manning said: “The cuts have choked any hopes of growth because the private sector can’t fill the gap.

“It’s time we had policies which put people first, by getting them back to work earning a living, paying taxes and helping stimulate growth.”

The move comes after Bolton trade unions staged a meeting on jobs, pay and pensions on Saturday. Thirty representatives from various unions met at Bolton Town Hall to discuss a range of issues including low pay and unemployment.

Martin Challender, Bolton TUC secretary, said: “We discussed lobbying Bolton Council at its February budget-setting meeting regarding the cuts, holding a May Day event and a public meeting on pensions.

“We also looked at further meetings with the council to discuss unemployment and union policies including our campaign for the living wage.”