Strike on 10 May!
The civil service union PCS national executive has unanimously voted to call industrial action on pensions on 10 May, as part of a programme of action with other unions in the civil service, health and education sectors. The government plans to force public sector workers to pay more for their pensions, and work longer for less in retirement.
Further national action will be called in June and action will also take place in departmental groups. Regional protests and rallies will be organised.
This strike is a warning to the government. Rather than the battle on pensions being finished, it is gaining strength and momentum. Workers are outraged at an unjustified attack on their living standards.
John McInally on lobby of TUC December 2011, photo Socialist Party
PCS, along with other unions, has built an alliance capable of winning concessions from a government which is completely out of touch with the lives that most people lead.
This is not a protest, it is part of a programme of action, including further national action in June, aimed at forcing the government around the negotiating table.
John McInally, national vice president of the PCS
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See also Alex Gordon, RMT president:
Vote Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) on 3 May
and The Socialist Editorial: