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date: 28 January 2011

embargo: for immediate release

TUC statement on the union industrial response to government spending cuts

Speaking after a special TUC meeting called today (Friday) to discuss the union industrial response to the effects of government spending cuts, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

'The government's agenda is doing huge damage to the economy and vital public services. The TUC is mounting a wide campaign against these mistaken policies.

'But today's meeting was to consider the appropriate industrial response to the volatile cocktail of issues that face union members across the public sector - the pay freeze, job cuts and attacks on pensions.

'No-one is talking about a general strike, but of course these attacks on our members could well give rise to industrial action around specific disputes.

'Today's meeting showed a clear determination for unions to work together on industrial issues including, as a last resort, industrial action when members support it.

'The TUC will step up its work co-ordinating the industrial work of unions. There will be monthly meetings of all the TUC's public sector unions in the Public Services Liaison Group, and the TUC's General Council will consider at each of its meetings a report of what is happening across the whole economy.

'As a result of discussions with the Chancellor and other ministers, the government has agreed to central talks on the future of public service pensions. Ministers have now accepted that they will not force through changes in the March budget.

'These will be difficult negotiations as public service workers will not allow their pensions to be hammered. We hope that the talks can make progress, but we cannot rule out industrial action taking place on this issue.

'The TUC will continue its campaign against the deep and rapid spending cuts. Polls show that public opinion is shifting, and people understand just how unfair and damaging these cuts will prove to public services, jobs and the wider economy.

'The demonstration on 26 March will be a huge event at which the British people will come together to show their opposition to the government's chosen course.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

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Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248 M: 07778 158175 E: media@tuc.org.uk
Rob Holdsworth T: 020 7467 1372 M: 07717 531150 E: rholdsworth@tuc.org.uk

Press release (500 words) issued 28 Jan 2011