date: Feb 23 embargo: immediate

Attention: industrial correspondents

TUC General Council to step up public sector pensions campaign

The TUC General Council today expressed their determination to step up their campaign for decent pensions for everyone, including defending fair pensions for Britain’s public servants.

The General Council welcomed the successful national day of action held on February 18 to raise awareness among MPs and the public of the anger and resentment felt by public service workers at the Government’s intention to impose an increase in the normal retirement age for most public sector workers and they expressed support for unions that are consulting members on possible industrial action.

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: 'The Government should drop its insistence that increases in the retirement age are non-negotiable and enable genuine negotiations to take place on every aspect of their proposals right across the public services.

Much can be done to meet the shared objective of creating sustainable public sector pensions through promoting, on a voluntary basis, choice and flexibility around the retirement age and implementation of best practice in the treatment of older workers across the public sector.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

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Contacts:

Media enquiries : Ben Hurley T: 020 7467 1248; Pager: 07699 713182 ; E: bhurley@tuc.org.uk
Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248; M: 07778 158175; E: media@tuc.org.uk

Skills for Life and media enquiries : Dan Ashley T: 020 7467 1372; M: 07880 504 846;
E: dashley@tuc.org.uk

Press release (400 words) issued 23 Feb 2005