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Cameron urges public sector staff to call off strike Cameron urges public sector staff to call off strike
(40 minutes later)
David Cameron has pleaded with public sector workers unhappy about changes to their pensions not to go on strike on Thursday "for the good of the country".David Cameron has pleaded with public sector workers unhappy about changes to their pensions not to go on strike on Thursday "for the good of the country".
The prime minister said planned reforms were "essential" or the system was "in danger of going broke" in future.The prime minister said planned reforms were "essential" or the system was "in danger of going broke" in future.
The changes were fair to both workers and the taxpayer, he added.The changes were fair to both workers and the taxpayer, he added.
Up to 750,000 teachers and civil servants are set to strike saying that the government's plans will mean them working longer and paying more.Up to 750,000 teachers and civil servants are set to strike saying that the government's plans will mean them working longer and paying more.
There was no breakthrough in talks between ministers and unions on Monday.There was no breakthrough in talks between ministers and unions on Monday.
'Good deal''Good deal'
The government has insisted it has contingency plans in place to prevent any major disruption to essential services on Thursday, but Education Secretary Michael Gove has been criticised after suggesting that parents should go into schools to help keep them running. The government has insisted it has contingency plans in place to prevent any major disruption to essential services on Thursday but Education Secretary Michael Gove has confirmed that more than 3,000 schools in England and Wales will be forced to shut and over 2,000 partially closed as a result.
The planned 24-hour walkout involves members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT), the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), the University and College Union and the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union.The planned 24-hour walkout involves members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT), the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), the University and College Union and the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union.
The Local Government Association is of course Conservative led. The UK Border Agency has said the PCS walkout will affect its staff working at points of entry into the UK and, while it had put contingency plans in place, "people travelling into the UK may experience delays at border control".
But you wouldn't know that from the open hostility there has been at times between the organisation and Communities Secretary Eric Pickles. It said the strike would have a "different" impact at individual airports, ports and railway stations.
The big issue in this ongoing row is who to blame for cuts to services: Central government or some of the councils ministers say are still wasting too much money.
David Cameron's speech could mark what many in local government hope is an end to the war of words.
The PM doesn't want unnecessary battles either with unions or councils.
But strikes over pensions still loom large over this conference.
There's more common ground than there was a few days ago between council leaders and ministers.
But still significant disagreement over pension contributions, and the best way to try to resolve the dispute.
The action in England and Wales is expected to disrupt thousands of schools.
Speaking to the Local Government Association conference, Mr Cameron urged workers to reconsider their actions and not to believe what he said were "scare stories" about the government's proposals.Speaking to the Local Government Association conference, Mr Cameron urged workers to reconsider their actions and not to believe what he said were "scare stories" about the government's proposals.
"To those considering strike action, when discussions are ongoing, I say to you these strikes are wrong, for you, for the people you serve and for the good of the country. It is the changes we propose that are right, right by the taxpayer but, above all, right by you.""To those considering strike action, when discussions are ongoing, I say to you these strikes are wrong, for you, for the people you serve and for the good of the country. It is the changes we propose that are right, right by the taxpayer but, above all, right by you."
He added: "The changes we propose are a good deal. They are fair for the low-paid, fair for the taxpayer. They secure affordable pensions, not just now but for decades to come. And they mean that public sector pensions will remain among the very best available."He added: "The changes we propose are a good deal. They are fair for the low-paid, fair for the taxpayer. They secure affordable pensions, not just now but for decades to come. And they mean that public sector pensions will remain among the very best available."
'Among the best''Among the best'
After two hours of talks on Monday, TUC leader Brendan Barber said there were still major divisions between unions and the government over three key proposals - to raise the pension age, to increase workers' contributions and to link pension values to the generally lower consumer prices index (CPI) rather than the retail prices index (RPI).After two hours of talks on Monday, TUC leader Brendan Barber said there were still major divisions between unions and the government over three key proposals - to raise the pension age, to increase workers' contributions and to link pension values to the generally lower consumer prices index (CPI) rather than the retail prices index (RPI).
But Mr Barber welcomed the government's willingness to enter into separate discussions about the local government pension scheme, based on ministers' recognition that the funding of that scheme was different.But Mr Barber welcomed the government's willingness to enter into separate discussions about the local government pension scheme, based on ministers' recognition that the funding of that scheme was different.
More talks are due to take place next month. Public sector union Unison, which had threatened to ballot its 1.2 million workers for strike action if the latest talks proved unsatisfactory, said no ballot would be called at this stage.More talks are due to take place next month. Public sector union Unison, which had threatened to ballot its 1.2 million workers for strike action if the latest talks proved unsatisfactory, said no ballot would be called at this stage.
"I think we found today the government were willing to treat the negotiations seriously," said Unison leader Dave Prentis."I think we found today the government were willing to treat the negotiations seriously," said Unison leader Dave Prentis.
What is your reaction to David Cameron's speech? Are you a public sector worker who plans to break the strike? Are you an employer or employee whose business could be affected? Please fill in the form below if you are willing to be interviewed by the BBC.What is your reaction to David Cameron's speech? Are you a public sector worker who plans to break the strike? Are you an employer or employee whose business could be affected? Please fill in the form below if you are willing to be interviewed by the BBC.