PCS comments on Maude misleading MPs over pensions dispute

Commenting on statements made in parliament on 14th December by Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude about the negotiations over public sector pensions, Public and Commercial Services union general secretary Mark Serwotka said:

“It would be extraordinary for the government to announce in parliament an end to the pensions negotiations while we are still so far from reaching any agreement.

“The truth is, while meetings have been held with officials in each of the schemes, these have been discussions on how to implement the government’s plans to force public servants to pay more and work longer for less, not negotiations on the changes themselves.

“Mr Maude is again misleading MPs and the public in saying negotiations are progressing well and his claim about the number of civil servants on strike on 30 November is pure fantasy.

“The public sector unions will meet tomorrow to discuss the state of the negotiations and start planning the next stage of our campaign, which PCS believes needs to include further strike action as early as possible in the new year if ministers continue to refuse to talk to us.”

From a PCS press release