Workers Revolutionary Party - STOP BARBER-PRENTIS PENSIONS SELL-OUT

The News Line: News Monday, 19 December 2011 STOP BARBER-PRENTIS PENSIONS SELL-OUT

On November 30 workers made it clear they wanted their pensions defended – now some trade union leaders want to abandon that struggle

AT last Thursday’s meeting of the TUC’s Public Service Liaison Group, TUC leader Brendan Barber urged trade unions to capitulate and sign up to the government’s latest non-offer over public sector pensions.

Unison leader Dave Prentis joined Barber in recommending acceptance of the Tory deal.

A capitulation will allow the Tories to declare a pensions victory before Xmas, and leave a number of trade unions to fight on alone.

Last Thursday’s meeting of the TUC public service liaison group heard a report that Star Chamber boss Maude and the coalition are demanding that the unions accept in principle the coalition’s proposals to end the dispute by Monday December 19.

TUC leader Barber and Unison general secretary Prentis called for acceptance.

There will be an attempt made today to get the TUC public services liaison group to agree to follow the lead of Barber and Prentis.

A lobby at the TUC today from 2pm will be demanding that Barber and Prentis withdraw their support for Maude’s ‘offer’, or that they resign at once.

It will be calling for the date to be set for a new pensions strike action in January.