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Union urges strike over job cuts Unions back strike action on cuts
(about 1 hour later)
A trade union is calling for industrial action against any planned jobs cuts in the public services. Union members have backed calls for industrial action against any planned jobs cuts in the public services.
The PCS, representing civil servants, is demanding a co-ordinated campaign to oppose what it calls government "panic measures" to tackle the recession. Delegates at the TUC congress in Liverpool approved a motion opposing any redundancies in the public sector as a way of making savings.
The PCS, which is not affiliated to Labour, says any moves to cut public spending would "deepen" the crisis. Officials earlier warned the government against "panic measures" to tackle high debt levels, saying moves to cut public spending would "deepen" the crisis.
It is among several unions at the TUC's annual conference urging the government not to cut spending. Ministers say they will protect current spending until the recession ends.
In its motion to the congress in Liverpool the PCS calls for a reversal of spending reductions already imposed and an end to privatisation. 'Joint action'
However, they have warned of "tough choices" on spending once the recovery is underway.
Unions say any reduction in levels of existing spending now would be disastrous and lengthen the recession.
A motion from public service union Unison, saying any cutback in spending would "damage" vital services and "ultimately impair economic recovery", was passed unanimously.
It called on members to "support, co-ordinate and encourage joint union action, including industrial action, in pursuit of these objectives".
The motion also called for jobs already cut to be reinstated, an end to further privatisation, and no pay cuts in the public sector.
It demanded a "payback tax" on the profits of financial institutions "that have benefited from public money".
'Off a cliff''Off a cliff'
A separate motion from the public service union Unison stops short of calling for industrial action, but says planned cuts, due to take effect in two years' time, would "damage vitally needed services" and "ultimately impair economic recovery".
The union also demands what it calls a "payback tax" on the profits of financial institutions "that have benefited from public money".
Earlier, TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said the economy had "fallen off a cliff", adding that it was "only when vital public services are safe from cuts that we will be able to talk about a real recovery".Earlier, TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said the economy had "fallen off a cliff", adding that it was "only when vital public services are safe from cuts that we will be able to talk about a real recovery".
Unions are worried that the government's stated aim of halving its budget deficit - expected to reach £175bn this year - within four years will damage public services and lead to mass redundancies.Unions are worried that the government's stated aim of halving its budget deficit - expected to reach £175bn this year - within four years will damage public services and lead to mass redundancies.
The Conservatives have said ministers should begin to reduce public spending now and have pledged to do so immediately should they win the next election.
Mr Barber warned that the number of unemployed could reach four million if investment is removed.Mr Barber warned that the number of unemployed could reach four million if investment is removed.
In a speech to the think-tank Progress Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said Labour had gone through a "necessary period of catch-up in public service provision" but added that it was not an "eternal doctrine" that the party had to keep spending at the same rate. In a speech to the think-tank Progress Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said Labour had gone through a "necessary period of catch-up in public service provision" but added it was not an "eternal doctrine" Labour had to keep spending at the same rate.
He also promised the government would try to create economic conditions which would "enable us to maintain frontline service delivery".He also promised the government would try to create economic conditions which would "enable us to maintain frontline service delivery".
The TUC's annual congress, which precedes the main party conference season, runs until Thursday.The TUC's annual congress, which precedes the main party conference season, runs until Thursday.