U.K.
PCS, the main civil service union, is continuing its campaign of protests and strike action over proposed changes to the pension scheme covering central government. Over the next two months PCS members are being urged to support a ban on voluntary overtime and campaigning will be stepped up in the autumn when the union will coordinate action with other public sector unions.
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Throughout most of 2010 trade unions were instrumental in mobilising millions of workers in opposition to the government’s proposals to raise the pension age and the number of years of contributions to earn a full pension. Despite the strikes and protests the government went ahead with the reforms but most trade unions continue to make their opposition known. In a recent meeting of the pension schemes steering committee the CGT, for example, made it clear that it would continue to highlight the situation of people on very low pensions, often hidden by statistics citing average pensions. It
The two main trade union confederations called a general strike and national protests on 17 July in their continuing campaign against changes to the labour code and cuts to pensions and disability benefit. A one-hour general strike was widely supported in January and the unions have had to maintain their campaign despite a change of government. The strike this time was called at short notice reflecting union concerns that the government was trying to push the measures through parliament without following due procedure. The ETUC has written to the government calling on it to get involved in
Local government union STAL and other unions in the public sector Frente Comum took part in a major national demonstration on 10 May as part of their long-running campaign to improve pay and working conditions in the public services and reverse the cuts imposed as part of austerity measures. Along with higher pay and better pensions, the unions want to see clear commitments to improve career progression and action on working time.
