Alarm at plan for 'continuous' strikes

By Ian Dunt

Strike action over public sector pensions will be far more extensive than previously thought, according to union leaders at the TUC conference.

While analysts had predicted another one day strike in November over changes to the system, a union leader suggested industrial action would far more varied and disruptive.

Speaking to the BBC, a union leader said: "The idea that we will have a one-day dispute, marching around town with a few flags... ain't going to do it."

Asked whether there would be several one-day strikes on a national basis, he replied: "Yep."

He added: "In some areas there will be two or three days. In other areas it will be continuous. In other areas it will be a rolling programme.

"There are lists that are being drawn up of targeted areas."

The comment drew an instant reaction from Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude, who said the public "will be very fed up if there are widespread strikes which close schools and affect health services and transport".

The comments come a day after Ed Miliband was heckled at the conference for suggesting that strikes were inappropriate while talks are still ongoing.

Many union representatives say the talks are a piece of theatre and that the real decisions have already been made.

The last strike over public sector pensions took place in June, with hundreds of thousands of workers joining the action and a large and good-natured march working its way through central London.

The TUC will debate several motions on increases to employee contributions before the conference ends later today.

Unite, Unison and the GMB, which constitute the biggest unions in the country, are understood to be on the verge of announcing a strike ballot on the issue.