News Sniffer - Revisionista 'Call at TUC for public pay strike' diff viewer (11/12)

This article is from 'bbc', was first published or seen on Mon Sep 08 00:02:11 UTC 2008 and has 13 versions.

It has 0 recommendations -

« Previous version

Revisionista

Article Links

Versions

Unions vote for mass pay protests

Unions vote for mass pay protests

Version 11	Version 12
Unions vote for mass pay protests Mon Sep 08 15:32:18 UTC 2008	Unions vote for mass pay protests Mon Sep 08 21:01:36 UTC 2008
~~The TUC has voted for a major protest campaign against the government's public sector pay policy.~~	The TUC has voted for a major protest campaign against the government's public sector pay policy.
The vast majority of delegates at the TUC's annual conference backed the proposal, which said limiting increases to 2% a year was "unfair and unjust".	The vast majority of delegates at the TUC's annual conference backed the proposal, which said limiting increases to 2% a year was "unfair and unjust".
Mark Serwotka, of the PCS union, called ministers' argument that it was needed to stem inflation "morally bankrupt".	Mark Serwotka, of the PCS union, called ministers' argument that it was needed to stem inflation "morally bankrupt".
~~An amendment urging the TUC to go further and organise a public sector-wide national strike was rejected.~~	An amendment urging the TUC to go further and organise a public sector-wide national strike was
	rejected.
'Not fair'	'Not fair'
In his opening speech to the conference, TUC general secretary Brendan Barber had earlier said: "Too much of contemporary Britain simply isn't fair.	In his opening speech to the conference, TUC general secretary Brendan Barber had earlier said: "Too much of contemporary Britain simply isn't fair.
"It's not fair that employees are facing a fall in their living standards while top bosses see their pay packets go up by 20% or even 30%."	"It's not fair that employees are facing a fall in their living standards while top bosses see their pay packets go up by 20% or even 30%."
Brendan Barber calls for an increase in public sector pay awards	Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Brendan Barber calls for an increase in public sector pay awards
Unions, gathered in Brighton for the conference, have long been furious at the Treasury's 2% pay package, which ministers say is needed to keep inflation down.	Unions, gathered in Brighton for the conference, have long been furious at the Treasury's 2% pay package, which ministers say is needed to keep inflation down.
But they now argue that rising fuel and food prices make it even more unacceptable.	But they now argue that rising fuel and food prices make it even more unacceptable.
The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) has already decided to ballot its 270,000 members over industrial action.	The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) has already decided to ballot its 270,000 members over industrial action.
The conference motion, proposed by Unison and seconded by the PCS, demands "days of action including a major national demonstration against the government's pay policy".	The conference motion, proposed by Unison and seconded by the PCS, demands "days of action including a major national demonstration against the government's pay policy".
Unison deputy general secretary Keith Sonnett told delegates: "Public sector workers have had enough.	Unison deputy general secretary Keith Sonnett told delegates: "Public sector workers have had enough.
We would expect the TUC not to dodge away from this Brian Caton Prison Officers' Association Delegate views: Public sector pay Send us your comments	We would expect the TUC not to dodge away from this Brian Caton Prison Officers' Association Delegate views: Public sector pay Send us your commentsTUC: Monday at a glance
"They've been saying very loudly and clearly that they will not accept the imposition."	"They've been saying very loudly and clearly that they will not accept the imposition."
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "We need to get tens of thousands of people on the streets to show how angry they feel."	PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "We need to get tens of thousands of people on the streets to show how angry they feel."
He said that, if Labour lost its core vote at the next election, and the Conservatives won, the current government would "have themselves to blame".	He said that, if Labour lost its core vote at the next election, and the Conservatives won, the current government would "have themselves to blame".
But the Prison Officers' Association (POA) said the motion did not go far enough and tabled an amendment calling for a series of strikes across the public sector.	But the Prison Officers' Association (POA) said the motion did not go far enough and tabled an amendment calling for a series of strikes across the public sector.
'Not for turning'	'Not for turning'
This was rejected by delegates using a card vote, after a show of hands proved inconclusive.	This was rejected by delegates using a card vote, after a show of hands proved inconclusive.
POA general secretary Brian Caton said: "We don't think this Labour government listens. We don't think the Labour government is for turning.	POA general secretary Brian Caton said: "We don't think this Labour government listens. We don't think the Labour government is for turning.
Mark Serwotka: 'Labour must stop worshipping at the altar of the rich	Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Mark Serwotka: 'Labour must stop worshipping at the altar of the rich
"We don't think that because Gordon Brown constantly says it and his predecessor [Tony Blair] constantly said it."	"We don't think that because Gordon Brown constantly says it and his predecessor [Tony Blair] constantly said it."
A TUC spokeswoman said of the POA's demand: "It would be a political strike, as it does not refer to a specific dispute with an employer, and would therefore be illegal."	A TUC spokeswoman said of the POA's demand: "It would be a political strike, as it does not refer to a specific dispute with an employer, and would therefore be illegal."
The annual conference lasts until Thursday, with union rights, calls for windfall taxes on energy firms and the protection of vulnerable workers also likely to feature prominently.	The annual conference lasts until Thursday, with union rights, calls for windfall taxes on energy firms and the protection of vulnerable workers also likely to feature prominently.