Union Backs Calls For Spending Cuts Strike

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A leading trade union has increased the pressure for a general strike against public spending cuts, while two others kicked off industrial action over terms and conditions.


The TUC, which held a cuts protest in March, is urged to co-ordinate a general strike



Delegates at the Communication Workers Union (CWU) annual conference unanimously backed calls on the Trades Union Congress (TUC) to organise a 24-hour general strike to make the Government change its policies.

The strike is planned to be on a scale recently seen in Greece and France.

Some in the union want to see action against policies which they argue hit women the hardest by cutting pensions and childcare support.

Speakers at the conference lined up to attack the Government over the cuts.

"This crisis was not caused by us, or our families, but we are paying for it," said the CWU's eastern regional secretary Paul Moffat.

"We need to work together with other unions, and the TUC should co-ordinate a 24-hour strike.

"If the Tories carry on it will be too late and we will be back to the levels of inequality not seen since Victorian times."

Meanwhile members of Unite and Unison at Southampton City Council are taking action after claiming that thousands of workers face being sacked and re-engaged on substantially lower terms and conditions.

About 100 refuse collectors have started a five-day strike in the city in a bid to stop proposed pay cuts of up to 5.5%.

The staff involved include care workers, street cleaners, refuse collectors, social workers, parking enforcement officers, building trades and various other services.

The Local Government Association said it was the first full council walk-out in England since the Government's spending review.

The Conservative-run city council said the alternative to pay cuts was to lose another 400 staff on top of 285 already axed.