12 January 2012
Today's meeting of the TUC's public sector liaison group, involving all the public sector unions, did not agree with PCS's recommendation that further co-ordinated strike action on a similar scale to 30 November should be organised now. While some unions supported the call, others have accepted the government’s so-called 'heads of agreement' and will now proceed to negotiations on the details of new schemes.
PCS's national executive committee yesterday unanimously confirmed a rejection of this offer, as it imposes the government’s plans to increase contributions from April, link the retirement age to the state pension which is rising to 68, and impose a switch in indexation that means a cut in the value of pensions of around 15% to 20%. So far the government has refused to negotiate on these core issues.
The NEC will reconvene for a special meeting on Thursday 19 January to consider the positions of the other public sector unions and how to continue the campaign, including the possibility of further industrial action. The unions in all four sectors - civil service, education, local government and health - that have refused to sign up to the offer will be called together to discuss a joint campaign.
The executive also agreed that if the government follows through on its threat to exclude the union from future discussions it would consider taking legal action and the TUC is calling for our reinstatement.
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "The fantastic strike on 30 November showed what was possible if we act together in unity. It is disappointing that more action has not been called now but we will discuss the way forward with the other unions which have not signed up to the government’s offer.
"We will continue to call for proper negotiations on the key issues of paying more and working longer for less. But in the absence of these further co-ordinated industrial action will be necessary to stop what is nothing more than a crude attempt to make millions of public servants pay for economic problems caused by the failings of a few millionaire bankers and politicians."
- Download our Fair Pensions for All pamphlet (pdf)
- Read PCS's alternative to the cuts
- Contact the PCS press office
- Follow PCS on Twitter
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