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28/01/2011
Pension Strikes Not Ruled Out
Following TUC talks, union bosses have failed to rule out industrial action over public sector pension cuts.
Brendan Barber, TUC General Secretary, agreed that the issue of pensions united workers regarding possible strikes.
However he said the campaign against spending cuts would go on, with a mass protest planned on 26 March.
Ministers have not ruled out new laws to prevent co-ordinated strikes.
Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude told the BBC that a "general strike" would be illegal.
He added that ministers wanted dialogue with unions but they had to recognise that public spending had to be reduced.
Public and Commercial Services Union General Secretary Mark Serwotka said: "I hope we'll make good progress towards greater co-ordination between the unions.
"While strike action is always a last resort, it would be the result of the government's refusal to change course and its political choice to press ahead with unnecessary and hugely damaging cuts.
"It's logical that any industrial action is always more effective if more people are involved and that's what I'll be saying today."
Union bosses agree that holding strikes would be a last resort, however larger public sector unions think there may be no alternative.
It was predicted that a campaign would be launched in the spring, however after TUC negotiations reached an agreement with ministers it is likely to hold off changes until June.
(BMcN/GK)
Brendan Barber, TUC General Secretary, agreed that the issue of pensions united workers regarding possible strikes.
However he said the campaign against spending cuts would go on, with a mass protest planned on 26 March.
Ministers have not ruled out new laws to prevent co-ordinated strikes.
Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude told the BBC that a "general strike" would be illegal.
He added that ministers wanted dialogue with unions but they had to recognise that public spending had to be reduced.
Public and Commercial Services Union General Secretary Mark Serwotka said: "I hope we'll make good progress towards greater co-ordination between the unions.
"While strike action is always a last resort, it would be the result of the government's refusal to change course and its political choice to press ahead with unnecessary and hugely damaging cuts.
"It's logical that any industrial action is always more effective if more people are involved and that's what I'll be saying today."
Union bosses agree that holding strikes would be a last resort, however larger public sector unions think there may be no alternative.
It was predicted that a campaign would be launched in the spring, however after TUC negotiations reached an agreement with ministers it is likely to hold off changes until June.
(BMcN/GK)
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