Con-Dems say: Pay more, work longer, get less

We say: NO WAY! Strike to defend pensions

Janice Godrich, PCS President and national chair of PCS Left Unity

On Saturday 7 January Left Unity in the PCS civil service union hosted an emergency open organising meeting because our movement in defence of public sector pensions is at a critical point. It is vital that the momentum generated by the fantastic strike on 30 November (N30) is not lost.

The government tried to force the unions to sign up to a rotten deal before Christmas. Unfortunately the leaders of some unions indicated they wished to sign this 'heads of agreement' which proposed exactly what N30 had been against: paying more, working longer and getting less.

December's events meant that members were in danger of being tragically let down and everything possible is needed to be done to prevent this happening. However, a number of unions have joined PCS among the 'rejectionists', refusing to sign up.

Pensions have been fought for over generations. The Con-Dems' attacks mean all these gains could be lost. Our job is now to maintain the pressure, unite across unions and not let the gains of the biggest action since the 1926 general strike be lost.

Our message is clear - reject the offer and organise for further action.

The conference unanimously agreed a statement which concluded with the following bullet points:

• The government's latest proposals on pensions must be rejected
• Press the TUC to set a date for a second day of coordinated national industrial action. This action is escalated by involving more public sector unions and unions from the private sector fighting for fair pensions or provision
• If the TUC does not call such action an urgent meeting is arranged by those unions prepared to consider continuing the campaign of industrial action against the pension deal
• The left organisations in the trade unions establish a temporary coordinating committee with the aim of coordinating activity, including lobbies etc, and material. To campaign together across the unions to build opposition to the deal and to work toward further coordinated action

Lobby of the TUC public sector liaison group meeting on the pensions dispute:

Thursday 12 January 2012 - 9.30am

Outside Congress House, Great Russell Street, London WC1

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