Thousands of public sector workers strike over pensions

750,000 teachers and civil servants are staging a 24-hour walk out in protest over the Government’s plans to reform the public sector pensions.

It has been estimated that over half the schools in England and Wales will be affected, with one third completely closed for the day. Picket lines have been set up, and a march and rally will take place in central London.

Members of the teachers’ unions and the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) voted to strike as they believe the coalition’s pension reform plans will increase the number of years they must spend working and the amount they will be expected to pay into their pension, but reduce the amount they receive when they finally retire.

However, Francis Maude, the Cabinet Office Minister, said the public sector pension will still be “among the very best pensions available” after the changes have been implemented.

He said that teachers do not have to strike today, as talks between the Government and the union leaders are still ongoing: "People are going to be scratching their heads, wondering why teachers and some civil servants are going on strike while discussions are still going.”

He added that it was “unjustifiable” for teachers to inconvenience parents who are trying to work in order to pay their taxes; taxes which will pay for the public sector’s pensions.

Teachers are not the only ones on strike. Some PCS court workers are on strike too. There is a picket line outside of the Old Bailey and cases with juries have been postponed.

UK Border Agency staff are on strike too, although early reports say that passengers at the UK’s major airports are not experiencing any major delays.

The Association of Teachers and Lecturers’ general secretary, Mary Bousted, told BBC Breakfast: "We don't want to be on strike, and we wouldn't be on strike if the government had been prepared to do what they say they're going to do now, and that's negotiate."

In addition, Kevin Courtney, the deputy general secretary of NUT, said the union “regrets” the disruption caused to parents by the strike action, but that it is the Government’s fault as it “isn’t serious” about finding a solution.

The coalition says the plans are "fair to taxpayers" and that other trade unions are continuing with negotiations. It condemned the strike action.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, wants the Government to pass legislation to impose a minimum threshold of participation for strike ballots. He has complained about the “very low” turnouts for ballots – about 33% of those members eligible to vote – as it means the minority can disrupt the public and other union members.

However, TUC general secretary Brendan Barber, is expected to tell a rally in Exeter: "The brutal truth is simply this: The burden of deficit reduction is being piled unfairly onto millions of low and medium-paid public sector workers who did nothing to cause the crash.

"Their pay has already been frozen for two years, even though inflation is higher than it has been for over a decade."

For legal advice on strike action and other trade union activities, get in touch with Job Justice. We work with local employment solicitors throughout the UK.