UK: Thousands of striking teachers and civil servants march through central London over plans to reform public sector pensions

Record ID: 339584

  • Title: UK: Thousands of striking teachers and civil servants march through central London over plans to reform public sector pensions
  • Date: 1st July 2011
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF STRIKERS PREPARING TO START MARCH THROUGH CENTRAL LONDON
  • Embargoed: 16th July 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA4RIOHZPESLFERAPUFSP3UNIK2
  • Story Text: Thousands of British teachers and civil servants went on strike on Thursday (June 30) over plans to reform public sector pensions, launching what could be extended action testing the government's resolve to drive through austerity measures.
    The strikes, mirroring protests across continental Europe against government-imposed austerity, could be a taste of wider protests to come later this year over pensions, an area where public sector unions appear determined to fight their corner.
    Many schools across Britain were closed or classes disrupted and air passengers were expected to face delays because immigration officials joined a walkout that could involve up to 750,000 workers. Courts and government buildings were also affected.
    Prime Minister David Cameron has condemned the strikes as irresponsible, saying that talks between unions and ministers have not concluded.
    Cameron argues that longer life expectancy means that public sector pensions must change to ensure that they are affordable. The changes are part of government plans by 2015 to virtually wipe out a budget deficit that peaked at more than 10 percent.
    Workers face higher contributions to their pensions and longer working lives. The proposals have hit a raw nerve at a time of wage freezes and job insecurity.
    Teachers marching through central London said it was "unfair" that they should bear the brunt of a financial crisis caused by rich bankers.
    "It's not fair at all what they're asking us to do. I've only recently trained as a teacher. I've changed my whole career around and now they're changing everything again so it's really unfair," said one young female teacher.
    "We understand there have got to be cuts, of course there have to be cuts because of the state of the economy but to expect us to take so many hits is just not fair," said another.
    Passengers arriving at London's Heathrow airport were greeted by notices informing them of possible disruption after border agency staff joined the walkout. But an airport spokesman said flights had not been disrupted by the 24-hour industrial action and contingency plans put in by the Border Agency were "working well."
    Analysts say the protests are a test of the government's resolve after it retreated on plans to restructure the state-funded National Health Service following lobbying from the medical profession.
    Markets, which have reacted positively to government deficit-cutting plans, would take fright at any sign of a climbdown over an issue like pensions.
    Thursday's protests involve about one in eight public sector workers, but other unions are gearing up for stoppages later this year if talks break down.
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