Before polling day on 5 May there will be a range of husting meetings locally and nationally, including those organised by UNISON. Get members to attend these events and ask candidates questions about pensions. Here are a couple for starters:

What is fair or right about a 50% increase in public service pension contributions that will go straight to the treasury and not into our pensions? What will you do about that?

Do you agree it is fair that public service pensioners who have paid contributions all their working lives should now face a 15% cut in pensions due to the change in indexing from Retail Price Index to Consumer Price Index?

Make sure your members have the key facts briefings to follow up answers.

Remember, that whilst these changes have been initiated by the UK Government, the regulation of public service pension schemes in Scotland is a matter for the Scottish Parliament. In particular, the increase in contributions is likely to be an early matter for the incoming finance minister.