Government services could be hit by strike action
A wide range of every-day government services could be disrupted if the main civil service union goes ahead with its threatened strike action.
The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) is threatening a 24-hour strike unless the Government “thinks again” over cuts to public sector pension benefits.
But, the Government is insisting that no decision has yet been made about changes to the pension schemes – and that the unions would be properly consulted before any changes are implemented.
PCS, which represents about 300,000 members, is worried the Government wants to axe final salary pensions in favour of a “career averaging” scheme to determine final retirement income.
It fears civil servants’ retirement income will invariably fall under the new plans.
PCS could be joined by the TUC and four other unions who meet this week to discuss their next step.
The Government’s proposals are due later this week and will be presented by Cabinet Office Minister Ruth Kelly.
A PCS spokesman said: “If there is an assault on a single source – all public sector pensions – there should be a common response. We have our 280,000 members to consider.”
The new row over pensions comes in the wake of Chancellor Gordon Brown’s decision to axe 84,000 jobs in Whitehall and up to 20,000 civil service jobs across Britain.
PCS said it would defend its members from becoming the “whipping boys” of government.
“It’s going to stick in our members’ throats that city bosses and MPs themselves are being awarded huge pensions when we’re seeing the terms and conditions of public sector pensions being steadily eroded,” said a PCS spokesman.
“There’s a real feeling that civil servants are becoming the whipping boys of the Labour government.”
