Unions threaten turmoil with day of action in pensions row

Health staff, teachers, civil servants, firefighters and nurses in secure hospitals represented by more than 20 unions are expected to be involved on November 30, despite warnings from the Government about the impact it will have on the country.

Several unions, including Unite, Unison, the GMB and the Fire Brigades Union made a series of announcements about strike ballots during a highly charged debate at the TUC conference in London following Ministers’ plans to increase public sector pension contributions by over three per cent.

The ballot by public sector Unison of its 1.1 million members is understood to be the single biggest ballot for strikes yet held by a trade union in this country. Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said 9,000 separate employers’ groups will be involved in the action, describing the ballot as “unprecedented” in scale.

He was given a standing ovation by TUC delegates after saying unions were involved in the “fight of our lives”.

Talks have been held for several months, but Mr Prentis said: “We’ve been patient, we’ve co-operated, but there comes a time when we say enough is enough.”

The Fire Brigades Union announced the first step towards balloting its 43,000 members, raising the threat of industrial action with no Green Goddess military cover. Firefighters last took national strike action in 2003, when Green Goddesses were used as emergency cover, but the ageing military vehicles have since been taken out of service.

Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said he had never witnessed so much anger and determination among so many unions and warned of a “whole series of strikes” into the New Year.

He said: “Public sector workers, many of them low paid, are being relentlessly and unfairly targeted by the Government. With their retirement incomes under threat, they have been pushed into a corner and are being forced to take this action.”

However, Ministers criticised union leaders for their action at a time when the country’s economic recovery remains fragile. Chancellor George Osborne urged union chiefs to get back to the negotiating table.

“Everyone who is sensible accepts that public sector pensions have to be reformed,” he said.

“So I would urge union leaders, don’t take this deeply irresponsible action at a time when Britain and the world faces real economic problems. Don’t take deeply irresponsible action that is going to damage jobs, damage prosperity and achieve nothing but conflict in our country.”

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, answering questions after a speech in London, said: “It is very regrettable that they are rushing to announce days of strikes when the discussions are still ongoing.

“It would be lovely to wave a magic wand and say we have discovered pots of gold, and the ageing population is not ageing, and, hallelujah, pension funds are entirely sustainable.”

The CBI’s deputy director-general, Dr Neil Bentley, added: “Reforming pensions is never easy, but the Government has already said it will protect lower earners from the full increase in contributions, and public sector workers will still have among the best pensions in the UK.

“Strikes cause major disruption for families and businesses, and mass strike action would mean thousands of parents forced to take a day off work to look after their children. We urge union leaders to get round the table with the Government.”