Can we expect to see further public sector strike action in protest at proposed public sector pensions cuts and changes in 2012?At present, it would seem that while mass public sector strike action in 2012 is possible, it is not necessarily probable.
Majority of public sector unions close to agreement on pensions changes
As 2012 approaches, negotiations between the Coalition Government and public sector unions are ongoing, but appear close to conclusion.
Immediately before Christmas, many public sector unions were set to sign up to a pensions agreement which Treasury Chief Secretary Danny Alexander describes as "deliver[ing] the government's key objectives in full and do[ing] so with no new money since our November offer."
However, the situation was thrown into confusion by a letter from Communities Secretary Eric Pickles apparently imposing new conditions relating to a cap on employer contributions. This prompted the unions to pull back from agreement. Pickles' letter has now been withdrawn.
Following the withdrawal of Pickles' letter, a majority of public sector "unions have again agreed to take the government's final offer to meetings of their executives" early in 2012, according to the BBC.
However, the PCS union has rejected the Coalition Government's latest offer and warns that further strike action may yet be required.
Further public sector strike action remains a possibility for 2012
With negotiations ongoing, further public strike action, while not necessarily probable, remains possible for 2012.
As we reported a fortnight ago, union leaders abandoned plans to announce a schedule of 2012 strike dates that had been lined up for Thursday 15 December 2011. But Unison leader Dave Prentis suggested at the time that "further industrial action could take place in the run-up to the first round of [pension] contribution increases in April [2012], with the possibility that protests and strikes will be split into regions or employment groups."
The public sector unions have shown that they are capable of mobilising mass support. The "day of action" on Wednesday 30 November 2011 involved "up to two million UK workers" (according to union estimates quoted by the BBC).
Any ongoing public sector strike action will be firmly opposed by the Coalition Government. Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude has suggested that the Government could be willing to consult on changes to the strike laws, if strike action is ongoing and proves "very disruptive."
See also:
- Prospects for public sector strike action: Can we expect more strikes in Spring 2012?
- Prospects for industrial relations in 2011 (1): 'Cool heads' required? The question of whether the UK workforce continues to tolerate below-inflation pay awards, widespread job insecurity and the impact of economic austerity measures is a critical one for Government and for employers in 2011.
- Prospects for industrial relations in 2011 (2): Could strikes prove a damp squib in 2011? How likely is mass strike action to materialise in response to the Coalition Government's economic austerity measures? It remains possible that concerns about a potential flare-up in industrial relations could prove unfounded.
- Prospects for industrial relations in 2011 (3): The challenges facing HR It remains uncertain as yet whether unions will be able successfully to mobilise potential for opposition to cuts. But what is certain is that - in the event of widespread industrial action - HR will play a key role in dealing with it.
- Strike laws could be changed to prevent 'perverse incentive' to strike, says Francis Maude
The Coalition Government could be willing to take action to change the
law around the mandate for strike action if public sector strikes in
protest at planned pension changes prove "very disruptive." This is
according to Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude in an interview with
the Daily Telegraph on Saturday (26 November 2011), as the prospect of
the public sector unions' national "day of action" planned for this
Wednesday (30 November 2011) looms. He subsequently told the BBC that
this such action would only be taken as a measure of last resort.
- Public sector strikes: The issues for employers Detailed legal guidance from XpertHR.
- Think public sector strike action? 'Think again,' says Cameron
Prime Minister David Cameron has condemned the public sector unions'
planned "day of action," which takes place next Wednesday (30 November
2011). The Coalition Government is also expected to unveil a package of
radical reforms to employment law later today, described by Sky News as
part of Cameron's plan to "go to war against the trade unions."
Meanwhile, CIPD research reveals that one-third of UK workers want to
see a ban on industrial action in "essential services."
- Are public sector workers ready for a wave of strikes? UK HR blogger Rick writes: "It remains to be seen whether the unions will be able to organise massive strike action in the autumn. The turnout on Thursday will give a clue about the strength of feeling. I may be proved wrong but I don't sense much of an appetite for confrontation. The greatest danger to the government's public sector reform programme may not be industrial action but its self-defeating assault on its own managers."
- Industrial action law needs to be modernised not made more restrictive (XpertHR subscription required) By Darren Newman.
- Tougher strike laws - another red herring "This isn't the 1970s and a lot has changed," according to the Flip Chart Fairy Tales blog. Blog author Rick argues: "If we have a summer of discontent it will be because a lot of people are discontented. Changing the law won't make them any less discontented. It might even make them more so."
- How to work with trade unions and employee representatives (XpertHR subscription required)
- Industrial relations: The legal basics (XpertHR subscription required) From XpertHR's employment law reference manual.
- Will trade unions struggle for relevance in the Facebook era? We are arguably at a turning point for trade unions. Some commentators argue that the trade union model itself is outmoded in the era of Facebook and other social media.
- Calling time on public sector unions in the US and the UK? A debate as to the rights, role and relevance of trade unions could rise up the HR agenda in the UK over the coming months, in light of recent pronouncements on UK trade unions from Chancellor George Osborne, the Institute of Directors (IoD) and the CIPD.
- George Osborne "prepared to consider changes to the law around strikes"
- Institute of Directors (IoD) calls for end of collective pay bargaining in hospitals & schools & abolition of right to request flexible working
- Banning strike action in 'essential services': The CIPD's 'nuclear option' for implementing public spending cuts
- Should the Government tighten up legislation allowing unions to call industrial action? Blog post from the CIPD.
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