Tory MP critical of union leaders over strike action

Simon Kirby, Conservative MP for Brighton Kemptown, criticised the union leaders ahead of Wednesday’s large scale strike action.

At least two million public sector works went on strike over proposed pension reforms, while thousands turned out at the Level in Brighton for a rally.

The action was supported by rival MP Caroline Lucas from the Green Party, while some of her colleagues on Brighton and Hove City Council joined the march in Brighton that preceded the rally.

However, Mr Kirby has branded the action ‘irresponsible’ and said the union leaders “stubbornly refuse to acknowledge that the cost of public sector pensions has risen by a third in ten years”.

Mr Kirby said: “Here in Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven there are many hard working public sector employees who provide vital services across the City and in Lewes district. The union leaders stubbornly refuse to acknowledge that the cost of public sector pensions has risen by a third in ten years, that the taxpayer has to foot the bill for this increase in costs and people are living much longer than in the 1970s.”

“The Government is simply seeking to strike a fairer balance between the need to provide a decent pension for hard working public sector employees whilst at the same time managing the overall cost. My sincere hope is that this strike will be a one-off and that negotiations will continue so that a fair settlement will be reached and public sector workers do not have to forfeit another days pay.”
“Trade Union leaders have an important responsibility, with the Government, to ensure that this matter is brought to a successful conclusion for all concerned.”

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Posted by on December 1, 2011. Filed under Brighton Politics,Conservatives,Green Party,Latest News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry