The pensions fight is still on. Despite some unions signing up to the Con-Dem government's 'Heads of Agreement', and seemingly conceding on the three major issues of paying more, working longer, and worse pensions, many unions have rejected the 'deal', and have announced plans to strike on 28th March.

Strike!

PSC, NUT and UCU have all agreed to this date, as have the EIS teachers union in Scotland. Meanwhile, Unite is balloting its members in the Health scheme, and the FBU are talking about balloting its members, and joining the strike, having rejected a separate deal with the employers.

Organise!

PTUC are committed to supporting the unions and workers on strike on 28th March. The pensions dispute is key not just to defend workers rights in retirement, but also in forging a unity and militancy to halt the tide of austerity and cuts, and instead present the case for an alternative, based on on providing descent public services and jobs.

PTUC have called a march and rally on 28th March - more details will be published following discussions with the striking unions, and we call on all of our supporters to take the day off & join the fight. 

Private Sector

Although the media like to present the pensions fight as Public Sector verses Private Sector, workers at Unilever have forced their management into talks. Unilever announced the closure of their final salary pension scheme, but union members in Unite, GMB and Usdaw thought otherwise, and after two rounds of immensely well supported strike action have forced Unilever (profits £2.1 billion in in the first half of 2011) to accept talks at arbitration service ACAS.

Victory at Unilever would be a massive step forward, setting a precedent for defending pensions in the private sector.