Political Strikes

Chief Secretary to the Treasury - the normally mild-mannered Danny Alexander - noised up Britain's union bosses (the Bubs) at the weekend - by accusing them of being “hell-bent on strike action” over public-sector pensions.

Mr Alexander said:

"I think most of the unions, the moderate unions, want to reach an agreement, but there are some who seem desperate – hell-bent if you like – on strike action.

What we need to make sure is that the interests of public servants are not set aside in the interests of trade union leaders who want to go on strike."

Now I have to say I think that's a fair statement - because Mr Alexander is no union basher and the proposals he is putting forward - protect the interests of the lower paid.

The fact is that people are all living longer - so the retirement age is going up for everyone - and that should be the same for publicly funded occupational pension schemes as well.

The government's plans are not party political - and are based on a report from John Hutton - the Work and Pensions Minister in the last Labour government.

So this is not a return to class war - it's about tackling vested interests and making sure that the higher paid groups of employees pay their way in future - by introducing pensions based on career average earnings.

The strikes that are planned for 30th November will go ahead - because they provide a bit of drama and excitement - political theatre for union bosses who are unhappy at the outcome of the last general election.

But things would be little - if any - different under Labour.

The issue is not about low paid cleaners being forced to clean up a mess - created by greedy bankers.

It's about low paid council cleaners being forced to subsidise the much better pension arrangements - of the council chief executive.