Strike on 10 May!

30 June coordinated national strike action by the PCS civil service union and NUT, ATL and UCU teaching unions, Newcastle , photo Elaine Brunskill

30 June coordinated national strike action by the PCS civil service union and NUT, ATL and UCU teaching unions, Newcastle , photo Elaine Brunskill   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

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.

quote opening

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

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.

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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

See also Alex Gordon, RMT president:

Vote Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) on 3 May

and The Socialist Editorial:

10 May strike will re-ignite pensions battle