Democracy Rules


Strikes and strike ballots are very blunt instruments - as more and more people will start to realise - as next week's public sector pension strikes get underway.

What exactly are people striking for - is a reasonable question to ask?

1 About plans to introduce career average pensions - and end final salary schemes
2 About the planned increase in the normal retirement age
3 About the planned increase in employee contributions

The answer to these questions will vary enormously - depending on whether someone is a head teacher or senior council official - a home carer or a classroom assistant.

Yet people are all asked the same question - a simple one-size-fits-all question - when asked if they are willing to go on strike.

As if their interests are all the same - which they're not of course.

And when you factor in the impact on a low turnout - it's reasonable to ask who is actually voting to go on strike and for what purpose?

Because the low paid - for example - have no interest in trying to defend final salary pensions schemes.

Yet that appears to be what the strike is all about - for some groups at least.

So the strategy and tactics of a strike - any strike - are in the hands of union leaders.

Who decide what question members are asked and - within limits - when to go back and ask the members if they are prepared to strike again.

On this occasion the government has made an improved offer - which benefits the lower paid and those nearest retirement age.

But has not given ground on the issue of raising the normal retirement age for everyone - or on the introduction of pensions based on career average earnings.

Yet the union ballots took place largely before these concessions were made - leaving union leaders to decide their significance - instead of the ordinary members.

And as so many union leaders have a nakedly partisan, political agenda - it's inevitable that the spotlight will now turn - and shine on the way ballots are conducted.

Because there are improvements that could be made to the present system - in the pursuit of greater grassroots union democracy.

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