UK: NHS staff and civil servants unite for national strike

The Government is on a fresh collision course with public sector workers over its controversial pension reforms after more industrial action was called by civil servants and NHS staff.

The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union and Unite announced that their members will take action on May 10, the day after the Queen's Speech, which is expected to include a Parliamentary Bill on the pension changes.

The PCS said the May walkout will kickstart a programme of action, with another strike at the end of June and industrial action across the civil service, health and education sectors.

Co-ordinated, targeted industrial action in employer groups and sectors, national and regional protests and political lobbying will also be held.

The dispute has been raging for well over a year and sparked a strike by more than 1.5 million public sector workers last November.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "The ongoing programme of industrial action with other unions we have agreed sends a clear message to Government ministers that we do not accept their unnecessary plans to force public servants to pay more and work longer for less in retirement.

"The Government must talk to us with the genuine aim of reaching a settlement but if it refuses, we will press ahead with strikes and protests the length and breadth of the country in the coming weeks and months.

"We will continue to show that there is an alternative to this Government's cruel and unfair cuts that clearly are not working."

Unite said its 100,000 NHS members, including health visitors, pharmacists and paramedics, face paying an average of £30 a month more for their pensions.

Officials pointed out that the pension reforms came against a backdrop of pay freezes and cuts in the public sector, and the prospect

1 posted on 04/17/2012 3:14:42 PM PDT by bruinbirdman

Gotta love that welfare state and entitlement mentality! The NHS is only going to get worse.

I say we take off and nuke the island from orbit. It’s the only way to be sure.

2 posted on 04/17/2012 3:16:46 PM PDT by Jack Hydrazine (It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine!)

I don’t think government civilian employees should be able to vote.

3 posted on 04/17/2012 3:21:53 PM PDT by GeronL (The Right to Life came before the Right to Pursue Happiness)

In my best Nelson voice: Ha Ha!

4 posted on 04/17/2012 3:27:34 PM PDT by Navy Patriot (Join the Democrats, it's not Fascism when WE do it and the law is what WE say it is.)

Coming soon to a large,First World,North American nation near you.

5 posted on 04/17/2012 3:49:57 PM PDT by Gay State Conservative (Unlike Mrs Obama,I've Been Proud Of This Country My *Entire* Life!)

I don’t think government civilian employees should be able to vote.

No,you can't take away their right to vote.You *can* take away their "right" to unionize.Government paycheck recipients being unionized is a huge..huge...HUGE...scam.

6 posted on 04/17/2012 3:55:16 PM PDT by Gay State Conservative (Unlike Mrs Obama,I've Been Proud Of This Country My *Entire* Life!)

7 posted on 04/17/2012 4:13:45 PM PDT by Chode (American Hedonist - *DTOM* -ww- NO Pity for the LAZY)

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