Union ballot call brings threat of co-ordinated strikes on cuts step nearer

Delegates at the annual conference of the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) are expected to agree to a national ballot for industrial action during a debate on Wednesday.

The union’s leadership is pressing for a ballot for strikes and other forms of industrial action, and for talks with other unions to co-ordinate any protests.

Three teaching unions – the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) – have already agreed to ballot members over national strike action over changes to public sector workers’ pensions.

Both the NUT and ATL, traditionally seen as the most moderate teaching union, are due to begin balloting members within days and, if approved, could take strike action this summer.

ATL general secretary Dr Mary Bousted said: “Teachers are going to work longer, are paying more and getting less in return. They’re outraged that the Government is not negotiating in good faith.”

She added: “We are reasonable people and we are not going to negotiate with a gun to our heads.”

The PCS is also unhappy at the “attack” on pensions, although it is also fighting a pay freeze and cuts in civil servants’ jobs.

An emergency motion by the PCS executive to the annual conference in Brighton on Wednesday condemns the spending cuts and calls for a strike ballot.

Calls are expected to be made for co-ordinated strikes involving civil servants, teachers and other public sector employees.