THE biggest strike in almost a century could be on its way, a local union chief says.
From today, and for the next three weeks, up to 14,000 Huddersfield workers could vote on strike action in one of the biggest ever union industrial action ballots.
The strike action vote relates to changes in public sector pensions with workers facing increased contributions, waiting longer to retire and receiving worse pensions.
In Huddersfield there will be three ballots affecting council workers, health workers and civil servants.
Paul Holmes from Kirklees Unison explained: “We’ll have three ballots because of the differences in pensions.
“In one there will be council workers, schools, Kirklees College, New College, Greenhead College, Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing, sports centres and the university, because they’re a former polytechnic.
“Then there’ll be a ballot for civil servants and then another for health workers.
“In Unison we’ve about 8,000 council workers, and I think there will be nearer to 13,000 or 14,000 when you take the others into account.”
The National Union of Teachers (NUT), the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) and the University and College Union (UCU) have already been balloted and voted in favour of strike action.
Mr Holmes added: “There was a massive turnout by the unions which have already voted and I think we’ll have a massive turnout too, maybe 80% to 90% yes votes. My advice to the government is to listen.
“I don’t think they understand the depth of the anger. People are frightened about poverty. Obviously there’s job security too but they’re worried about poverty.
“I think this will be massive, the biggest strike in Britain since the 1926 general strike.”
The ballot runs until November 3 and the first strike day is planned for November 30.
Nationally, more than a million public sector workers will vote – among them probation officers, social workers, teaching assistants, dinner ladies and hospital cleaners.
Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said the union was fighting for the future of public sector pensions because of “attacks” by the Government. Essential public services would be protected on strike days.
Unison say there is a rolling programme of stoppages if members vote in favour of strike action and it will affect 9,500 separate employers.
It is the first time Unison has balloted its entire membership for industrial action.
He said: “We are doing everything possible to get a high turnout and we are confident of a big ’yes’ vote.
“This is a fight not just about whether it is right to increase contributions, but it’s a fight for the survival of public service pension schemes.”
A spokesman for the Communities and Local Government Department said: “The cost of providing public service pensions is rising, and reform is essential if we are to more fairly protect taxpayers. This is a consultation and as such discussions on the proposals are ongoing. Instead of embarking on entirely unnecessary industrial action, Unison should instead be engaging in discussion and representing their members’ interests.”
