Public sector workers strike over pension changes

Similar protests over changes to pensions happened across Wales last November Credit: ITV News Wales

Thirty thousands public sector workers from across Wales are to strike today over planned changes to their pensions.

It is the latest wave of strikes in the ongoing battle with the UK Government over public sector pensions.

Amongst those joining the rallies and picket lines across the country are lecturers, health support workers, civil servants and border agency staff.

Unite NHS members UK wide voted by more than 94 percent to reject their pension proposals claiming what the Government are offering will force them to work longer and pay more to get less.

In Wales, three unions are behind today's strike.

Involves in the dispute are 20,000 civil and public servants in the Public & Commercial Services union (PCS), 5,000 members of Unite the Union in the NHS and 5,000 staff working in Further and Higher Education, who belong to the University & College Union (UCU).

The unions say the strike has been prompted by the government's continuing refusal to negotiate over three key issues:

  • a higher pension age

  • increased contribution payments

  • a reduction in the value of workers' pensions

There will be picket-lines tomorrow outside hospitals, FE and HE institutions, job-centres, tax offices, Welsh Government offices and many other public sector workplaces.

Health chiefs have warned of possible disruption to healthcare services and while Abertawe Bro Morgannwg Health Board have said it has already put plans in place to minimise disruption to patients it does warn there may be increased waiting times.

Representatives for Abertawe Bro Morgannwg Health Board are urging friends and relatives of patients to bring food and drink to the hospitals, as while medical treatment should not be affected, catering services will be disrupted.

While the union's campaign has been boosted by both Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru, who have said their Assembly members will not cross the picket lines at the Senedd or Government offices, Ministers in Westminster have insisted the current level of public sector pensions is unsustainable and that reforms are needed.