Union seeks general strike over cuts

A leading trade union yesterday pressed for a 24-hour general strike to hit back at the Government’s “vicious” spending cuts amid the growing prospect of a huge outbreak of industrial action in the coming weeks.

By The Newsroom

Published 24th May 2011, 07:00 BST

The annual conference of the Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) unanimously backed calls for the TUC to co-ordinate a nationwide walkout against “attacks” on pay, pensions and services.

Delegates at the Bournemouth conference also agreed to moves aimed at co-ordinating campaigns and strikes with other unions.

Speakers lined up to attack the Government over the cuts, saying they were hitting workers and families and leading to cuts in essential public services.

The union’s Eastern regional secretary, Paul Moffat, said the young, elderly, schools, police and prisons were all being hit by spending cuts.

“The attacks are causing irreversible damage to public services.

“This crisis was not caused by us, or our families, but we are paying for it.

“We need to work together with other unions, and the TUC should co-ordinate a 24-hour strike.”