Sparks fly as coalition clashes with unions
Monday, 6 June 2011 2:11 PM
Coalition ministers are refusing to back down today despite attacks from trade unions on a number of fronts.
Vince Cable was heckled by delegates at the GMB union this morning, as he delivered a stern message on industrial relations during the downturn.
Union shouts down embattled Cable
The business secretary pressed on with his warning that the government would consider legislating to restrict the right to strike further if threatened actions materialised.
In his speech, Mr Cable referred to the ongoing dispute involving teaching unions, some of whom are considering a walk out later this month over plans to increase their contributions.
Pensions impasse pushes teacher strike closer
politics.co.uk understands that ongoing talks with ministers have effectively collapsed, with agreement extremely unlikely before the proposed strike on June 30th.
Analysis: Livid in the staffroom
Unions and others on the left of British politics are concerned that the coalition's deficit reduction plan is taking place unnecessarily quickly and without any concern for growth.
Yesterday a group of respected economists warned that the "breakneck" pace of cuts risked the economic recovery.
Time for a Plan B: Economists turn against Osborne
The chancellor struck an unapologetic note today, when he defended his plans, saying the UK needed a "credible fiscal plan" to return to economic stability.
Meanwhile, the gulf between the attitudes of the Conservatives-Liberal Democrat coalition and those in the labour movement was highlighted by a TUC report out today, which suggested that the poorest had been in a livelihood crisis for the last 30 years.
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