For Britain's sake stop these strikes: PM says pension system is in danger

David Cameron went over the heads of union leaders today to tell thousands of public sector workers: "These strikes are wrong."

He made an 11th-hour appeal to call off Thursday's planned walkouts by 750,000 workers, saying people had to accept reform of public sector pensions.

The Prime Minister said the pensions were costing every household in the country the equivalent of £1,000 a year in subsidies and the costs were soaring.

The civil service scheme was so underfunded that while employees paid 1.5 to 3.5 per cent of their earnings as contributions, the taxpayer had to pay 19 per cent. Appealing to people's patriotism, he said reform was needed "for the good of the country".

"We just can't go on as we are," said Mr Cameron. "As baby boomers retire - and thankfully live longer - the pension system is in danger of going broke."

A survey of schools across London shows more than 90 per cent shutting in some areas if the strikes go ahead.

Aides to the Prime Minister said his words were meant to be persuasive rather than confrontational. But after making the case for why there was no alternative to working longer and claiming less, he finished with a direct appeal.

He said: "So to those considering strike action, at a time when discussions are ongoing, I would say to you: these strikes are wrong - for you, for the people you serve, for the good of the country." The dispute appeared to be getting more acrimonious this afternoon.

One union leader, Len McCluskey, accused the Government of treating unions as "the enemy within". He said there was too much "union-bashing", adding: "We're back to the old Thatcherite rhetoric again."

Conservatives and their supporters attacked the £100,000-plus salaries of union bosses.
Mr Cameron was supported by Lib-Dem Business Secretary Vince Cable who said: "I think most people will not understand why strike action is taking place at the current time."

Thursday's strike involves the NUT and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers along with members of the Public and Commercial Services Union.

Evening Standard research shows that only about a quarter of schools will be able to stay fully open in Bromley, Bexley, Lambeth and Waltham Forest.

In Camden five per cent will stay open, in Barking and Dagenham eight per cent and 18 per cent in Brent. In Redbridge four out of 10 schools will be open.

Schools in Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea are expected to be less badly hit.