Programme of action starts with national strike on 10 May

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PCS Comment

27 April 2012

In our ballot held during March, PCS members voted overwhelmingly to reject the government's pension offer by 9 to 1. Over 72% supported a programme of action including strikes with other unions, protests and political lobbying. Now our national executive has unanimously agreed to call a national strike with other unions in the public sector on Thursday 10 May.

Further action with other unions may take place at the end of June.

No one takes strike action lightly. It is a last resort. But this government has refused to negotiate seriously on the key issues of working longer, paying more and getting less. We want the government to come to the negotiating table.

Since March we have successfully worked to build a coalition of unions ready to take the action needed to put real pressure on the government. The 10 May strike will involve unions in the civil service and related bodies, universities, colleges and the NHS.

In addition, the Police Federation are organising a demonstration in London over cuts to their pay and pensions.

The last two national strikes – in June and November of last year – made a big impact. The news media was dominated by stories about pensions and opinion polls showed strong support for the strike. This helped force the government to make some small concessions to its pensions plans but they are not enough.

By uniting and taking action together we have defended ourselves before against a government making cuts: protection against compulsory redundancies and for paid sick leave from the last government.

We urge you to stand with your colleagues and support the action on 10 May and join the rallies that are taking place across the UK.

There will also be an overtime ban from 11 May until the end of June.

Together we can win a fair settlement.

Mark Serwotka Janice Godrich
General Secretary President

PDF version of this briefing - Briefing - Programme of action starts with national strike on 10 May
See how your pension will be affected by the government’s cuts
More information on the 10 May strike

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