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Unions demand public pay protest Unions demand public pay protest
(9 minutes later)
The TUC is facing increasing pressure to organise a major protest campaign against the government's public sector pay policy.The TUC is facing increasing pressure to organise a major protest campaign against the government's public sector pay policy.
Seven unions are supporting the motion which is being debated at the TUC's annual conference in Brighton later. Seven unions are supporting the motion, which is being debated at the TUC's annual conference in Brighton later.
They say expecting workers to accept 2% pay rises at a time of rapidly rising inflation is "unfair and unjust".They say expecting workers to accept 2% pay rises at a time of rapidly rising inflation is "unfair and unjust".
One controversial amendment calls on the TUC to go further and organise a public sector-wide national strike.One controversial amendment calls on the TUC to go further and organise a public sector-wide national strike.
The demand comes from the Prison Officers' Association - many of whose members staged an unofficial walkout last year.The demand comes from the Prison Officers' Association - many of whose members staged an unofficial walkout last year.
'Not fair''Not fair'
In his opening speech to the conference, TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: "Too much of contemporary Britain simply isn't fair.In his opening speech to the conference, TUC general secretary Brendan Barber 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%."
The TUC said it agreed that the pay policy was wrong - but said the POA's demands were illegal, as they were political rather than based on a particular dispute.
Unions who have 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 who have 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.
We would expect the TUC not to dodge away from this Brian CatonPrison Officers' Association Send us your commentsWe would expect the TUC not to dodge away from this Brian CatonPrison Officers' Association Send us your comments
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.
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "Faced with pay cuts, pay freezes and increasing financial hardship, civil and public servants will not tolerate the government's approach to pay, which is disproportionately hitting some of the lowest-paid in the economy."
A TUC conference motion, proposed by Unison and seconded by the PCS, calls for "days of action including a major national demonstration against the government's pay policy".A TUC conference motion, proposed by Unison and seconded by the PCS, calls for "days of action including a major national demonstration against the government's pay policy".
But prison officers' leaders say this does not go far enough and have tabled an amendment calling for a series of strikes across the public sector. Unison deputy general secretary Keith Sonnet told delegates: "Public sector workers have had enough.
'Very strange' "They've been saying very loudly and clearly that they will not accept the imposition."
Prison Officers' Association general secretary Brian Caton told the BBC: "The TUC should work towards protecting the vast majority of its members who work in the public sector. PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka called the government's pay policy "morally bankrupt".
"We would expect the TUC not to dodge away from this." He added: "We need to get tens of thousands of people on the streets to show how angry they feel."
Mr Caton said he found it "very strange" that other union leaders had not backed his call for a public sector-wide strike. 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 prison officers' leaders say the motion does not go far enough and have tabled an amendment calling for a series of strikes across the public sector.
'Not for turning'
Prison Officers' Association 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 richMark Serwotka: 'Labour must stop worshipping at the altar of the rich
He added: "Everything about it [the pay arrangement] is corrupting. The government is saying that we are responsible for inflation and that's rubbish." "We don't think that because Gordon Brown constantly says it and his predecessor [Tony Blair] constantly said it."
However, Unison deputy leader Keith Sonnet said: "We are [already] sending a strong message... We will not be supporting strike action.
"The TUC is not in a position to call for a series of general strikes. It is not a trade union involved in negotiations with employers."
Mr Barber agreed, saying: "We have been working very hard to co-ordinate with public sector unions and we have been working very hard to persuade government they have been following is absolutely wrong and must be replaced."
He added: "We are probably going to see industrial action in a number of areas."
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.