Making a Stand

We're all doomed! Another recession looms, economic growth is stalling, more and more people are going to lose their jobs. But of course, it has nothing to do with 'Gorgeous' George Osborne's disastrous economic policies. Oh no. It is all down to the economic problems of Greece. And Italy. And the rest of the Eurozone. Most of all, it is the fault of public sector workers and their unreasonable refusal to take the government's continued assaults upon their livelihoods and pensions lying down. After eighteen months of being told that we're useless, overpaid and workshy, the government now seems to be saying that the entire country will grind to a halt if we public sector workers go on strike tomorrow, so vital is our work. I was astounded to hear the Chancellor calling upon us to abandon tomorrow's strike to avoid damaging the economy, just after he has told the Commons that he's already driven it into the ground. Then we have other ministers warning that the stoppage could lead to job losses - this against the background of the government achieving record levels of youth unemployment. Clearly the government fears competition in the sphere of job destruction.

Let's get some things straight here. First off, public sector workers don't get 'gold plated' pensions, despite what the Daily Mail would have you believe. The reality is that those private sector workers still in work pension schemes with employer contributions will actually receive slightly more than us on retirement. Sadly, though, few of these schemes still exist in the private sector, as rapacious businesses, desperate to squeeze as much profit as possible from firms, have closed them down and raided the pension funds. Whilst this is highly regrettable, it is no reason to screw our pensions. Secondly, despite the government's claims that the unions are 'spoiling for a fight', it simply isn't true. Indeed, the only people looking for a confrontation, it seems, are the government, possibly believing that it will make them look strong and decisive in the arena of public opinion. They keep saying that we shouldn't be striking when negotiations are still going on - they aren't. We can't negotiate over pensions until the government actually starts negotiating itself, instead of dictating, trying to impose deals and engaging in PR exercises like the supposedly 'improved' offer.

Then there's the issue of whether there is actually a mandate for a strike amongst union members, with the government claiming the strike decision is illegitimate because, in some cases, the turnout for the ballot was low. This really is dangerous ground for the government - after all, where is their mandate? Let's not forget that the Tories failed to gain a majority at the last election and have only been able to seize power through a shady backroom deal with the Lib Dems. Let's not forget that the so-called 'coalition' government's main policies differ significantly from those its constituent parties put before the electorate in their General Election manifestos. Nobody has had the opportunity to debate or vote on them. I could quite reasonably call into question this government's legitimacy on the grounds that they seized power in a political coup, rather than by recognised electoral channels.

Of course, whilst this forthcoming strike is ostensibly about pensions, there are wider issues. Some of us still believe in the public service ethos and are sick and tired of its erosion - and the consequent decline in service provision to the public - under successive governments. Let's not forget the background against which this strike is occurring: libraries and courts are being close, care provision for the old, the disabled and the most vulnerable amongst us is being savagely cut back. The very fabric of our civil society is being torn asunder. Sometimes you just have to take a stand - even if it is futile - for the things that matter.