Industrial action: why it will pay employers to be prepared

The recent marked increase in industrial action will undoubtedly continue during the two-year public-sector pay freeze announced in the emergency budget and while further job cuts remain possible. In fact, we may be experiencing a lull before the storm. The private sector is not immune either, as meagre pay deals, efficiency drives and steps to tackle burgeoning pension deficits place all employers at risk of action.
 

It’s untenable to have a normal retirement age in public-sector schemes that is significantly different from the state retirement age

Brian Bailey, Director of pensions, West Midlands Pension Fund and member of High Pay Commission