Public-sector workers vow not to bow to bullies

The workers' unions reacted with fury after arrogant Mr Alexander set out plans last week which require most public-sector employees to work longer and pay more for less generous entitlements in retirement.

Mr Alexander insisted that ministers wanted a "constructive dialogue" with the unions, but indicated that this would be restricted to the detail of how the changes would be implemented.

He made clear that the government was determined to stick to the broad principles for reform set out in the review of public-sector pensions carried out by former Labour cabinet minister Lord Hutton.

His comments were condemned by union leaders as the "last straw," setting the stage for a wave of strikes this autumn on a scale not seen since the general strike of 1926.

They warned that they could not sit back in the face of such an attack on their members.

Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said: "Having attacked their jobs and now to take away their pensions in the way this government is doing, it leaves them no alternative to say we're going to have to take a stand.

"We wanted to negotiate all the way through. But if we're going to be treated with disdain in the way that we are being now, then we will move to an industrial action ballot.

"I have no doubt that they will vote for action. And it will be the biggest action since 1926 because up to 10 million people will be involved."

Local government Unison members meeting in Manchester today vowed to launch co-ordinated industrial action in the autumn if the plans to alter their pension scheme went ahead.

Teaching unions and the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) have already voted for a one-day strike on June 30 in outrage at what they see as

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "I think if the government isn't prepared to change course in the negotiations that we are having after that strike, we will see unions representing millions more move to ballot their members for strikes in the autumn."

And teachers' union NASUWT general secretary Chris Keates said that Mr Alexander's speech "has served little purpose except to inflame the anger of public-service workers."

Labour has condemned the government's negotiating tactics, but it stopped short of backing the unions' decision to strike.

Shadow chancellor Ed Balls said: "The trade unions must not walk into the trap of giving George Osborne the confrontation that he wants to divert attention from a failing economy."

The Pensions Bill will be debated in Parliament today.