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Ministers fail to prevent strikes due later this week
TALKS to avert mass strikes later this week failed yesterday, despite the government appearing to offer a compromise to union leaders.
Thousands of teachers, lecturers and other public sector workers will walk out for 24 hours on Thursday this week, forcing the closure of schools up and down Britain and disrupting government departments and courts.
Ministers said the ongoing talks had been “constructive” yesterday.
“We believe both sides have a responsibility to see the talks through and we would urge public workers not to strike while they are ongoing,” said cabinet office minister Francis Maude and chief secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander.
But Public and Commercial Services union leader Mark Serwotka said the talks had been a “farce”.