Livingstone speaks out on strikes

Ahead of next week’s strikes on November 30th, Ken Livingstone released a statement, saying:

“The government wants to force teachers, nurses, dinner ladies and other public sector workers to work longer, pay more and receive less. The reality is the average pension for a public sector worker is just £5,600 a year – far less than the huge pensions enjoyed by Tory Ministers. “

“The government has offered no real compromises to hard working public servants despite the fact that negotiations have been ongoing for over 6 months. It’s time for the Tory-led government to end its intransigence over public sector pensions and enter into real and meaningful talks.”

“I have no time for the hypocrisy of ministers who enjoy gold plated pensions. No one wants a strike, least of all those who will lose pay and there is still time for the government to adopt a more constructive position and enter into genuine talks. That would be the responsible course of action and I urge them to think again and act in the interests of public servants and Londoners.”