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Unison, GMB and Unite, who together represent 1.5 million public sector workers, are expected to announce intention to hold strike ballots over planned changes to pensions The leader of the country’s largest public sector union has given notice of an industrial action ballot that could result in more than 1 million members taking part in a national day of co-ordinated action. Dave Prentis, the general secretary of Unison, opened a debate on a motion calling for the TUC to co-ordinate strike action by public sector unions over the government’s proposed reforms to public sector pension schemes. Prentis told delegates that striking was the “last thing” his members wanted to do, but after “eight long months” of looking for an agreement, the union had decided “enough is enough”. He accused ministers of trying to get a “pound of flesh” from ordinary workers by planning measures that would reduce the pensions members had saved for “every week of their working lives”. As David Cameron’s envoy for trade unions, Richard Balfe, looked on, Prentis said that if members did not take a stand now, the government would come back for “more and more”. “Make no mistake congress, this is it. We will take the fight to them.” The GMB and Unite are expected to follow with similar announcements during the course of the debate. A statement is due later on Wednesday after public sector unions meet to discuss tactics. A number of other unions have already announced their intention to ballot. The GMB and Unite unions are expected to tell the TUC of their decision to hold strike ballots as they use the conference stage to attack the planned reforms of public sector pension schemes and condemn “misleading statements” put out by ministers on the case for change. The TUC will hear calls for balloted unions to co-ordinate strike action to make the maximum impact over planned changes to pensions, which will see contributions increase by 3.2%. Unions have held talks about co-ordinating action, with many eyeing the 29 November – the day that the chancellor, George Osborne, to expected to deliver his pre-budget report – as a possible date. An announcement on the plan is expected on Wednesday afternoon, when public sector unions meet the TUC leader, Brendan Barber, after the close of the conference at lunchtime to discuss the way forward. It is understood the GMB will declare a ballot, and that Unison is close to announcing a poll of more than 1 million members. A senior trade union source said strike plans had been developed for “several months” and will include “sustained action.” The source said: “One-day strikes on their own will not be enough. We need to be innovative. Some of these disputes could be indefinite.” The civil service workers’ organisation, the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), already has a mandate from its members, and the PCS leader, Mark Serwotka, has already signalled his intention to co-ordinate a national strike alongside other unions. Serwotka has already said that unions have been in talks about following a national day of action with rolling “smart” strikes targeted in specific service areas. The decision of the biggest unions in the country to go ahead with ballots comes just a day after Ed Miliband, the Labour leader, told delegates that strikes over pensions would be a “mistake”. Anger over pension schemes has seen some unlikely suspects propelled into discussing ballot plans. Two civil service unions, Prospect and the FDA, announced last week their respective executives had given the go-ahead for a ballot unless the government amends its proposal to impose a pensions levy on civil servants from April 2012. Opposition to key proposed reforms could also see a union representing school leaders go on strike for the first time in its 114-year history. The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) – a union outside the TUC umbrella – is expected to announce details of its ballot later this week and subject to the ballot result, intends to co-ordinate with other unions. Russell Hobby, general secretary of the NAHT, said: “Unless negotiations produce real results, the NAHT will ballot its members in late September on industrial action over pension cuts. “If our members vote yes, and they appear definite on the matter, we could see school leaders on strike for first time since the union was established in 1897. It is a desperate time for our members who instinctively do not want to leave their posts even for a day. “They believe they are not only defending existing pension rights but trying to protect the future of education in this country. If we do not value teachers, we cannot hope to signal to the best graduates that this is the right career for them.” Unions who took part in the action on 30 June – including three education unions – are still covered by their ballot should they wish to take further action. The NASUWT – one of seven education unions taking part in a lobby of parliament over pensions on 26 October, announced on Friday it was planning to ballot members over pensions, pay and job cuts. Trade unions Public sector careers Public sector cuts Public sector pay Public sector pensions Conferences Hélène Mulholland Dan Milmo guardian.co.uk