The 30 November strike was a brilliant show of strength and solidarity by over two million public sector trade unionists determined to challenge the government’s attack on our pensions.
Many of those trade unionists are now shocked and deeply unhappy to hear that the TUC and leaders of some unions such as Unison may be prepared to agree to a deal that falls far short of what is needed on all the main points.
The government’s new deal includes no extra money. They still want public sector workers such as social workers and social care staff to work longer, pay more for their pensions and get less when they retire. It still means a 50% rise in contributions, a retirement age of 68 for those now aged 34 or under, and a cut for all current pensioners as payments are indexed to the CPI instead of RPI inflation measure.
A series of meetings around the country and a conference in London will bring together activists from trade unions including Unison to discuss how to ensure that the new offer is rejected – and how to organise further action to defend our pensions in 2012.
The 30 November strikes showed we have the power to force the government back – let’s use it to win a decent deal on pensions.
The Unite the Resistance campaign is organising the following events:
Lobby the TUC: 2pm, Thursday 12 January, Congress House, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS
Unite the Resistance emergency national meeting, 12 noon to 4pm, Saturday 14 January, Friends Meeting House, Euston Road, central London. Speakers include Mark Serwotka (PCS), John McDonnell MP
More info: http://uniteresist.org/2011/12/emergency-action-on-pensions-lobby-of-tuc-and-national-utr-meeting/
