HUNDREDS OF THOUSENDS TO JOIN STRIKE ACTION

Hundreds Of Thousands 'To Join Strike Action'

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8:46am UK, Wednesday June 15, 2011
Hundreds of thousands of public sector workers are poised to go on strike with members of two teaching unions in protest at pay freezes and pension changes.

The result of a strike ballot by the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) will be announced today, with officials expecting approval for a walk-out.

It follows Tuesday's votes by the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) in favour of industrial action.

Planned for June 30, the teachers' strike would cause disruption for millions of children at thousands of schools in England and Wales.

The ATL stoppage will be the first in the union's 127-year history. Some 83% were in favour, while the NUT ballot showed 92% in support of action.

The Government is isolated in its belief there is a need to cut pensions even further and the only conclusion to draw is that ideology is replacing reality.

PCS leader Mark Serwotka

The union's executive will meet today to make a final decision on a strike.

A third teaching union, the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) will also decide later this week whether to ballot members on strike action.

PCS leader Mark Serwotka has warned up to 750,000 public-sector workers could take part in the biggest show of industrial unrest in the public sector for years.

"All the experts who have looked at public sector pensions, including the Government's own adviser, Lord Hutton, agree they are affordable now and in the future," he said.

"The Government is isolated in its belief there is a need to cut pensions even further and the only conclusion to draw is that ideology is replacing reality."

Francis Maude

Francis Maude warned unions against strike action

Action could continue beyond the summer, Unison general secretary Dave Prentis has warned.

He said 1.2m local authority, NHS and other public-sector workers are "on the road" to industrial action in the autumn.

Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude cautioned that taking industrial action while talks were continuing would a "big mistake".

He said it was fair to ask public sector workers to pay a little more for their pensions in line with workers in the private sector.

Further talks between the Government and union leaders will be held on June 27, just days before the June 30 strike.

File photo dated 29/09/08 of a London Underground train. Tim Ireland/PA

It's feared the tube strikes will make life hell for travellers

Meanwhile, talks aimed at averting a series of Tube strikes in London over the sacking of a driver will be held today.

Members of the RMT union are due to walk out for between six and 24 hours in the next few weeks, starting on Sunday evening.

The action will hit fans going to Wimbledon for the tennis championships which start the following day, and threatens chaos for travelleers across the capital.

The comments are justifiably anti with so many people unemployed and PSW enjoying many more benefits than Private Sector. The NUT should be
ashamed to call themselves Teachers when standards have fallen so much that School leavers leave without knowing the basics. reading writing and
arithmetic.

I WONDER IF PAYMENT OF BENEFIT WILL BE AFFECTED IF DWP WORKERS WENT ON STRIKE,FOR THE SAKE OF ARGUMENT

Badboy wrote:I WONDER IF PAYMENT OF BENEFIT WILL BE AFFECTED IF DWP WORKERS WENT ON STRIKE,FOR THE SAKE OF ARGUMENT

Morning BadBoy,

I would imagine if this were to happen, the Benefit payment would be doubled the week before. it"s only one day of Protest though.

Panda wrote:
The comments are justifiably anti with so many people unemployed and PSW enjoying many more benefits than Private Sector. The NUT should be
ashamed to call themselves Teachers when standards have fallen so much that School leavers leave without knowing the basics. reading writing and
arithmetic.

Agreed. There was a woman who presumably is a teacher or something to do with the union on Breakfast this morning. it was mentioned that many companies have now scrapped the final pension scheme . She acknowledged this but her words ( and I can't remember what it was she actually said) were to the effect that closing the final pension scheme for teachers wouldn't change what had happened so why bother!!! Basically she was saying that tough for the others but teachers should be treated differently and keep their final pension schemes. Selfish bitch!!!!

Yes Keela , There is no discipline in the Classroom these days and instead of the kids taking Exams it should be the Teachers. First inch of Snow and they close the Schools, they have about 3 months Holiday a year work a 5 day week, 6 hour day.......yet are one of the most militant Unions who disrupt
children"s Education time and time again.