Govt's public sector pension offer fails to avert strikes

Members of the Unison trade union have voted in favour of strike action on 30 November in response to public sector pension reforms.

Yesterday chief Treasury secretary Danny Alexander outlined a compromise offer on the reforms which will see public sector employees working longer and paying more for pensions.

However, the offer was dependent on unions dropping strike plans. Today's ballot result is expected to encourage up to 20 other unions to join in a national day of action.

Five unions already have a mandate for action and others are balloting. If all unions strike, it will be the largest industrial action since January 1979.

The government's offer was for public sector workers to have accrual rates of 1/60th per year, with protection from reforms for anyone within ten years of retirement.

Public sector workers took to the streets on 30 June this year in protest against the cuts to the Teachers Pension Scheme.