Green Party support November 30th strike

29 November 2011

 

Greens from all over the country will be voicing their opposition to the coalition cuts on November 30th

The Green Party strongly supports the union's strike over changes to their Public Sector pension schemes which will see their members having to work longer and contribute more. The 24 hour walk out is set to be the UK's biggest strike for over 30 years with over 2 million Public Sector employees taking part.

 "We call for a clamp down on tax evasion by the rich and a tax on financial transactions rather than the proposed public sector cuts and for the Government to urgently review the state pension which remains below poverty levels. We would like to see the rapid introduction of a citizen's pension, paid at a level that allows people to meet basic needs."

(Stuart Jeffrey, Policy Coordinator, Green Party National Executive,)

Caroline Lucas, leader of the Green Party of England and Wales and MP for Brighton Pavilion, says:

"The Conservative-led Government's assault on public sector pensions is a serious concern for my constituents and for workers across the public sector. While recent moves by Ministers to improve the pensions package offered some hope, it's clear that we are still far from a genuinely fair deal.

"I regret the disruption caused by industrial action, but feel confident that union leaders have resorted to a full strike only as a last resort - because public sector employees up and down the country continue to feel that the Government is simply not listening.

"We must not forget that these are our nurses, teachers, civil servants - the people who provide the crucial services which we rely on every day. The Greens will not hesitate to lend our support and solidarity to them on November 30."

Greens at Westminster and City Hall will not cross the picket lines to work on Wednesday November 30th.

For comment, quotes and interviews with Green Party Spokespeople please contact

Zoe Hall on 0207 549 0315

 

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