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Unions push for showdown over pay Unions push for showdown over pay
(about 5 hours later)
Public sector workers are threatening to take "co-ordinated industrial action" against the government's below-inflation pay settlement.Public sector workers are threatening to take "co-ordinated industrial action" against the government's below-inflation pay settlement.
Unions say a rise of 2.5% in two stages is not enough and could cost Labour votes at the next election.Unions say a rise of 2.5% in two stages is not enough and could cost Labour votes at the next election.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown received a muted response when he told the TUC annual conference on Monday that the deal was needed to keep inflation down.Prime Minister Gordon Brown received a muted response when he told the TUC annual conference on Monday that the deal was needed to keep inflation down.
Delegates will vote on Tuesday whether to push for a campaign of strikes.Delegates will vote on Tuesday whether to push for a campaign of strikes.
Our members are not the cause of inflation; they are the victims of it Mark SerwotkaPublic and Commercial Services Union Q&A: Public sector pay Spotlight on Brown speech Our members are not the cause of inflation; they are the victims of it Mark SerwotkaPublic and Commercial Services Union Q&A: Public sector pay Spotlight on Brown speech class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/6989269.stm">Is strike action likely?
A motion from by the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) says it "deplores" the "pay limit" set by the government and recommends that unions "discuss coordinated industrial action".A motion from by the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) says it "deplores" the "pay limit" set by the government and recommends that unions "discuss coordinated industrial action".
PCS members at the Department for Work and Pensions have already rejected a three-year deal by an overwhelming three to one and are likely to be balloted on possible strike action within weeks.PCS members at the Department for Work and Pensions have already rejected a three-year deal by an overwhelming three to one and are likely to be balloted on possible strike action within weeks.
Mark Serwotka, PCS's general secretary, said: "Our members are not fat cats, on inflation-busting salaries.Mark Serwotka, PCS's general secretary, said: "Our members are not fat cats, on inflation-busting salaries.
"They are not the cause of inflation; they are the victims of it.""They are not the cause of inflation; they are the victims of it."
'Walkout''Walkout'
A separate proposal from the National Union of Teachers warns that "unfair, discriminatory or demotivating public sector pay policies" are not compatible with high-quality services.A separate proposal from the National Union of Teachers warns that "unfair, discriminatory or demotivating public sector pay policies" are not compatible with high-quality services.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and Work and Pensions Secretary Peter Hain are to address the TUC conference, amid a growing mood of anger at the pay settlement.Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and Work and Pensions Secretary Peter Hain are to address the TUC conference, amid a growing mood of anger at the pay settlement.
CBI director general Richard Lambert is also due to make a speech and take questions from delegates in Brighton.
Prison guards have staged a walkout, while teachers, police and nurses have been among workers protesting at Mr Brown's public sector pay deal.Prison guards have staged a walkout, while teachers, police and nurses have been among workers protesting at Mr Brown's public sector pay deal.
But, in his first address to the TUC as prime minister, Mr Brown said "pay discipline" was "essential to prevent inflation, to maintain growth and create more jobs - and so that we never return to the old boom and bust of the past".But, in his first address to the TUC as prime minister, Mr Brown said "pay discipline" was "essential to prevent inflation, to maintain growth and create more jobs - and so that we never return to the old boom and bust of the past".