YES we can win, YES for strike action on pensions

YES, we have the strength to defeat this government’s multi-billion pound pensions robbery; just look at recent victories achieved with much smaller forces than the alliance of trade unions who are preparing strike action on 28 March.

Trade unionists are among the many people angry at the blatant use of ‘Workfare’ by big business to coerce school leavers into unpaid labour instead of properly paid work and genuine training. Yet the protests over the last few weeks have forced company after company to withdraw, leaving the government scheme in tatters.

There has also been a significant trade union victory scored by construction workers who, after six months of protests, unofficial walkouts and now a threatened strike, have defeated the attempts by the ‘Dirty 7’ electrical contractors to impose the Besna contract which would have cut electricians’ and other skilled construction workers’ wages by up to 35%.

Just think what we can do with a strike on 28 March of trade union members of NUT, UCU, PCS, EIS, SSTA, NIPSA - and more. Even the doctors’ organisation – the BMA - is threatening action now!

It’s no wonder – the government still wants us to pay more, work longer and get less. If these plans go through teachers will be losing a day’s pay every single month in extra contributions. And if we back down from action it will give the government confidence to press ahead with all their other attacks too. But with more action we can win much more!

So let’s give a loud and confident YES to continuing the campaign and YES to further strike action on March 28 and beyond!