Winter of discontent as unions plan big strikes

Britain faces the biggest outbreak of industrial strife since the 1926 General Strike after unions representing millions of workers announced strike ballots today.

Unison, Unite, GMB and the Fire Brigades Union will all consult members in the public sector about co-ordinated walkouts in protest at the Government's pension reforms.

The anger at plans to make them work longer and pay more towards their retirement looks set to cause a "winter of discontent" with action timed to coincide with Chancellor George Osborne's economic statement on November 29.

Several other unions, including the civil service PCS union and the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union have either already called strikes or vowed to join mass walkouts in solidarity.

Unison leader Dave Prentis described the ballot as "unprecedented" in scale and said unions were involved in the "fight of our lives".

Union leaders were applauded as they announced plans for ballots at the Trades Union Congress in central London - in stark contrast to Labour leader Ed Miliband, who was heckled when he said strikes were a "mistake".

Ministers warned the action would be a "self-inflicted wound" for Britain when the global economy is on its knees.

Unite assistant general secretary Gail Cartmail said ongoing talks with ministers had been more like a "straitjacket" than real negotiations.

"While we will never walk away from talks, neither can we sit on our hands. We will support days of action and tactical selective action," she said.

Fire Brigades Union leader Matt Wrack described the Government's plans as a "crude smash-and-grab" which had left "little alternative" but to take industrial action.

Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude insisted pension reforms would leave schemes among the "very best available", and said the majority of the public would not support the action.