More strikes threatened as pensions offer is rejected

Civil and public servants overwhelmingly rejected the Government's pensions offer yesterday, setting the stage for a fresh round of strikes.

Some 90.5 per cent of those in the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) ballot rejected the Government's proposals for a new scheme, while 72.1 per cent backed continuing the campaign, including further industrial action. The news came as the National Union of Teachers said it was calling a regional strike in London on March 28 as part of its pensions campaign.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "The vote shows we remain committed to resisting this Government's attacks on pensions, jobs and pay."