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Darling to face unions over pay Darling to face unions over pay
(about 5 hours later)
Chancellor Alistair Darling is to address the TUC's annual conference, with delegates expected to voice their anger over the government's pay policy.Chancellor Alistair Darling is to address the TUC's annual conference, with delegates expected to voice their anger over the government's pay policy.
Unions have already voted for national protests against limiting increases to 2% a year, which was described as "unfair and unjust".Unions have already voted for national protests against limiting increases to 2% a year, which was described as "unfair and unjust".
But the government says the policy is needed to control inflation.But the government says the policy is needed to control inflation.
A spokeswoman for the union Unison said Mr Darling could expect a "frosty" reception but a "polite" one.A spokeswoman for the union Unison said Mr Darling could expect a "frosty" reception but a "polite" one.
'Morally bankrupt''Morally bankrupt'
On Monday the TUC, holding its annual conference in Brighton, voted overwhelmingly to push the government to reassess its public sector pay policy.On Monday the TUC, holding its annual conference in Brighton, voted overwhelmingly to push the government to reassess its public sector pay policy.
Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union, said the 2%-a-year figure was "morally bankrupt" at a time of rising living costs.Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union, said the 2%-a-year figure was "morally bankrupt" at a time of rising living costs.
His union is to ballot its 270,000 members on strikes, while teachers and lecturers are moving towards industrial action.His union is to ballot its 270,000 members on strikes, while teachers and lecturers are moving towards industrial action.
Some delegates are warning of a "winter of discontent", with widespread public sector disruption.Some delegates are warning of a "winter of discontent", with widespread public sector disruption.
A Unison spokeswoman said: "I think there will be a polite reception for Alistair Darling, but I also think it will be quite frosty.A Unison spokeswoman said: "I think there will be a polite reception for Alistair Darling, but I also think it will be quite frosty.
"People will be interested to see what he's got to say about how people are going to be helped during the credit crunch."People will be interested to see what he's got to say about how people are going to be helped during the credit crunch.
"We will be listening carefully. We don't want the usual mantra about global forces.""We will be listening carefully. We don't want the usual mantra about global forces."
A senior figure from another union, who asked not to be named, told the BBC: "There's a lot of anger about the government's failures.A senior figure from another union, who asked not to be named, told the BBC: "There's a lot of anger about the government's failures.
'Something new''Something new'
"Alistair Darling is going to be asked to account for them. He can't come down here saying he's got an unblemished record. He needs to start saying something new, but there's no sign of this so far.""Alistair Darling is going to be asked to account for them. He can't come down here saying he's got an unblemished record. He needs to start saying something new, but there's no sign of this so far."
But Justice Secretary Jack Straw said pay restraints were needed.But Justice Secretary Jack Straw said pay restraints were needed.
He said: "It's only by exercising a degree of responsibility and, if I may say, discipline, that we're going to get through this period and ensure we achieve what everybody wants, not least the trade unions, which is the continuation of a robust economy. "He said: "It's only by exercising a degree of responsibility and, if I may say, discipline, that we're going to get through this period and ensure we achieve what everybody wants, not least the trade unions, which is the continuation of a robust economy. "
The unions are also pushing for a "windfall tax" on the "large" profits recorded recently by utility firms. This demand is backed by more than 100 Labour MPs.The unions are also pushing for a "windfall tax" on the "large" profits recorded recently by utility firms. This demand is backed by more than 100 Labour MPs.
Last week the government ruled out a one-off rebate for households struggling to pay fuel bills.Last week the government ruled out a one-off rebate for households struggling to pay fuel bills.
Tony Woodley, joint leader of Unite, Britain's biggest union, called the decision a "downright disgrace".Tony Woodley, joint leader of Unite, Britain's biggest union, called the decision a "downright disgrace".
But Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said energy companies should still "make a further contribution" to reducing prices in the long term, such as helping to insulate homes.But Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said energy companies should still "make a further contribution" to reducing prices in the long term, such as helping to insulate homes.
Universities and Skills Secretary John Denham is also due to speak to the TUC on Tuesday.Universities and Skills Secretary John Denham is also due to speak to the TUC on Tuesday.