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NSSN statement - No secret talks - No retreat on N30 pensions strike
The front page of the Independent this Thursday October
6th has an article claiming that TUC leader Brendan Barber has been to Tory
Party conference this week for secret talks with ConDem minsters to try to
"avert mass strikes".
If this is true, union activists will be
outraged. The NSSN recognises the need for negotiations but these should be out
in the open, involving all those unions preparing to take action on November
30th (N30), which could see up to 3 million public sector workers on strike -
more than on the first day of the 1926 general strike.
So-called "private talks" can only confuse union
members and activists at a time when millions will be balloting for strike
action.
In any case, the clear message that has to be sent to the
government is that only a total and complete retreat from their plans to attack
public sector pensions would be enough to consider stopping the N30 strike.
The government’s proposals will make public sector workers
pay more into their pensions at a time of pay freezes - and when many of these
workers have actually seen pay cuts because of attacks on their terms and
conditions. The ConDems then want them to get worse pension benefits and wait
longer to receive them. It has been calculated that the net effect will be to
take a day's pay off each worker every month.
It is
clear from this situation that the government is terrified of the N30 strike
and is desperate to prevent it. But this should be the signal to keep the
pressure up.
The TUC and the trade unions need to send a clear message of
defiance to the ConDems and work to get the best possible vote for strike
action on the maximum turnout and then to build for a massive strike on N30
that can appeal to private sector workers, young people and pensioners to
defeat this cabinet of millionaires.
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