Coalition ‘unleashed hell’ on nation’s workers

The Public and Commercial Services union agreed to build towards fresh walkouts at the end of next month with as many unions as possible unless talks over the pension changes are reopened.

Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude said strikes would be futile and the Government would not reopen negotiations.

Delegates at the PCS’s annual conference in Brighton pressed for more industrial action and agreed to campaign against legislation which will enable the pension reforms to take place.

General secretary Mark Serwotka said workers faced “unprecedented” challenges, adding: “What the Government is doing is unleashing hell on members, their communities and vulnerable families.

“This is a Government of millionaires, of incompetence, which is ruling on behalf of a tiny elite, without a mandate.”

Mr Serwotka said unions were now the real opposition to the Government, attacking Labour for going along with many of the coalition’s cuts.

Thousands of PCS members in the Department for Transport are to take industrial action soon in a row over job cuts and privatisation.

The union is also balloting its members in HM Revenue and Customs for strikes.

Mr Serwotka said it was clear from conference discussion that PCS members wanted to continue fighting the Government’s pension changes, which will mean that public servants would work longer, pay more into pensions and receive less in retirement.

Teaching unions will not join any action next month, but Mr Serwotka said the campaign will continue into the autumn, echoing warnings from Unite leader Len McCluskey that strikes could be held into next year.

“Mr Maude said: “Once again I am disappointed that the PCS insists on pushing for futile strike action which benefits no-one, and I would urge them to reconsider their position.”