Winter of walkouts is threatened

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Britain could face massive strikes not seen since the 70s - sparking another Winter of Discontent, union officials have warned.

They predict Government cuts, job losses, wage freezes and rising costs will force more and more industrial disputes.

Postal services in many areas have already been hit by action by Royal Mail workers which could escalate into a national walkout.

Now The People has learned of growing strike threats among binmen, transport workers and council staff all over Britain.

Refuse collections have already been hit in Leeds while workers at First Bus based in Bolton, Bury and Wigan stage a 24-hour stoppage from tomorrow.

Members of the Unite union are also at war with council chiefs in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Unite convener Stephen MacGregor claimed bosses were "goading" staff into strikes for which they could then be blamed.

And RMT leader Bob Crow said last week's announcement of Government cuts was "the tip of the iceberg". He warned: "Millions of workers are being pushed into a corner. The country will say enough is enough." A Unison spokesman said workers were feeling under financial pressure from cuts and compulsory redundancies just as the big bonus culture among bankers was re-emerging.

The infamous Winter of Discontent of 1978-79 saw widespread strikes triggered by a Government pay freeze.