15/06/2011

Union Warns Of Major Walk Out

The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) has warned that a major co-ordinated strike could take place later this month.

Around 750,000 public sector workers could strike over pension changes, job cuts and pay freezes.

In a vote, scheduled for 30th June, union members are expected to favour a walkout following Tuesday's decision by the National Union of Teachers and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers to walkout on the same day.

The move has been described as “a mistake”, by the government, that will affect millions of children in England and Wales.

If the proposed strikes commence, it could be the biggest strike in the public sector for many years.

Commenting yesterday, Mark Serwotka, the PCS General Secretary, said: “These results send a clear message to the government that public sector workers do not believe they should be made to pay with their pensions for a recession they did not cause, and we send our support and solidarity to all NUT and ATL members.

"All the experts who have looked at public sector pensions, including the government's own adviser Lord Hutton, agree they are affordable now and in the future. The government is isolated in its belief there is a need to cut pensions even further, and the only conclusion to draw is that ideology is replacing reality."

(BMcN/GK)


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