Union leader threatens strikes over public sector pension cuts

THE Government is facing a threat of mass strikes after unions reacted with fury to proposals for an overhaul of public sector pensions, despite experts saying they would still enjoy “hugely generous” payouts in retirement.

Unions raised the spectre of a “Dad’s Army” of police and firefighters after former Labour Cabinet Minister John Hutton recommended raising the age at which state employees can claim their pension.

His report also proposed closing final salary schemes – although workers would be allowed to keep any entitlements built up so far – in favour of more affordable schemes that calculate pensions according to average earnings over a career, and employees will have to contribute more.

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Dave Prentis, leader of Unison, said: “Asking workers to work longer for less is simply not an option. We want to talk to the Government about their response as a matter of urgency, but I am sending out a clear message to our 1.4 million members warning them that industrial action is now one big step closer.”

Simon Reed, vice chairman of the Police Federation, said: “Does this Government really want a Dad’s Army of policing? Whilst experience counts, the dangers for the public of sending in 60-year-old police officers to deal with public order situations and Friday night drunken brawls seems obvious.”

Lord Hutton said reform was vital because the current system was “clearly not tenable” and said the proposals were fair. The Government has said it is giving “careful consideration” to his report.

Pensions expert Ros Altman, director-general of Saga, said: “Lord Hutton’s recommendations on public sector pensions have led to calls for industrial action by public sector unions, but the reality is that his proposals will still leave them with hugely generous pensions that most private sector workers could never hope to achieve.”

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