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| Version 10 | Version 11 |
|---|---|
| Unions vote for mass pay protests | Unions vote for mass pay protests |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The TUC has voted for a major protest campaign against the government's public sector pay policy. | The TUC has voted for a major protest campaign against the government's public sector pay policy. |
| The vast majority of delegates at the TUC's annual conference backed the proposal, which said limiting increases to 2% a year was "unfair and unjust". | The vast majority of delegates at the TUC's annual conference backed the proposal, which said limiting increases to 2% a year was "unfair and unjust". |
| Mark Serwotka, of the PCS union, called ministers' argument that it was needed to stem inflation "morally bankrupt". | Mark Serwotka, of the PCS union, called ministers' argument that it was needed to stem inflation "morally bankrupt". |
| An amendment urging the TUC to go further and organise a public sector-wide national strike was rejected. | An amendment urging the TUC to go further and organise a public sector-wide national strike was rejected. |
| 'Not fair' | 'Not fair' |
| In his opening speech to the conference, TUC general secretary Brendan Barber had earlier said: "Too much of contemporary Britain simply isn't fair. | In his opening speech to the conference, TUC general secretary Brendan Barber had earlier said: "Too much of contemporary Britain simply isn't fair. |
| "It's not fair that employees are facing a fall in their living standards while top bosses see their pay packets go up by 20% or even 30%." | "It's not fair that employees are facing a fall in their living standards while top bosses see their pay packets go up by 20% or even 30%." |
| Brendan Barber calls for an increase in public sector pay awards | Brendan Barber calls for an increase in public sector pay awards |
| Unions, gathered in Brighton for the conference, have long been furious at the Treasury's 2% pay package, which ministers say is needed to keep inflation down. | Unions, gathered in Brighton for the conference, have long been furious at the Treasury's 2% pay package, which ministers say is needed to keep inflation down. |
| But they now argue that rising fuel and food prices make it even more unacceptable. | But they now argue that rising fuel and food prices make it even more unacceptable. |
| The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) has already decided to ballot its 270,000 members over industrial action. | The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) has already decided to ballot its 270,000 members over industrial action. |
| The conference motion, proposed by Unison and seconded by the PCS, demands "days of action including a major national demonstration against the government's pay policy". | The conference motion, proposed by Unison and seconded by the PCS, demands "days of action including a major national demonstration against the government's pay policy". |
| Unison deputy general secretary Keith Sonnett told delegates: "Public sector workers have had enough. | |
| We would expect the TUC not to dodge away from this Brian CatonPrison Officers' Association Delegate views: Public sector paySend us your comments | We would expect the TUC not to dodge away from this Brian CatonPrison Officers' Association Delegate views: Public sector paySend us your comments |
| "They've been saying very loudly and clearly that they will not accept the imposition." | "They've been saying very loudly and clearly that they will not accept the imposition." |
| PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "We need to get tens of thousands of people on the streets to show how angry they feel." | PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "We need to get tens of thousands of people on the streets to show how angry they feel." |
| He said that, if Labour lost its core vote at the next election, and the Conservatives won, the current government would "have themselves to blame". | He said that, if Labour lost its core vote at the next election, and the Conservatives won, the current government would "have themselves to blame". |
| But the Prison Officers' Association (POA) said the motion did not go far enough and tabled an amendment calling for a series of strikes across the public sector. | But the Prison Officers' Association (POA) said the motion did not go far enough and tabled an amendment calling for a series of strikes across the public sector. |
| 'Not for turning' | 'Not for turning' |
| This was rejected by delegates using a card vote, after a show of hands proved inconclusive. | This was rejected by delegates using a card vote, after a show of hands proved inconclusive. |
| POA general secretary Brian Caton said: "We don't think this Labour government listens. We don't think the Labour government is for turning. | POA general secretary Brian Caton said: "We don't think this Labour government listens. We don't think the Labour government is for turning. |
| Mark Serwotka: 'Labour must stop worshipping at the altar of the rich | Mark Serwotka: 'Labour must stop worshipping at the altar of the rich |
| "We don't think that because Gordon Brown constantly says it and his predecessor [Tony Blair] constantly said it." | "We don't think that because Gordon Brown constantly says it and his predecessor [Tony Blair] constantly said it." |
| A TUC spokeswoman said of the POA's demand: "It would be a political strike, as it does not refer to a specific dispute with an employer, and would therefore be illegal." | A TUC spokeswoman said of the POA's demand: "It would be a political strike, as it does not refer to a specific dispute with an employer, and would therefore be illegal." |
| The annual conference lasts until Thursday, with union rights, calls for windfall taxes on energy firms and the protection of vulnerable workers also likely to feature prominently. | The annual conference lasts until Thursday, with union rights, calls for windfall taxes on energy firms and the protection of vulnerable workers also likely to feature prominently. |