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The first woman of the British revolution

Education theory as a weapon of liberation

Untangling the lies

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GATS and the dangers for libraries

Lifting the lid on the state within the state

McLibel: The sequel - the postman and the gardener who took on McDonald's

Letter from Ukraine

Global coalition launch campaign against international surveillance

A dynamic guide to the future

A licence to print money

Passengers to face trial in France for preventing a violent deportation

Public sector pension action grows

One market under God

Dublin - rebel city

The awkward truth

Into a world of hate

For New Labour its 'just law'

GB84 - a powerful tribute to the miners' strike

Chavez and the struggle for power in Venezuela

The making of a cybertariat

Globalisation, the state and revolution

The quest for an Islamic Enlightenment

Stalin: the horror behind the image

Stupid White Men

No theory, no Lenin

Klein opens the window on globalisation

Can we have our Old Labour back, please!

The US could use nuclear weapon in Iraq

Just do it - don't think about it

Black Earth City

Foxhunting and land ownership - the rich at play

A woman of the revolution

Out from the shadow of a martyr

Life beyond the logo

How the US spied on refugees from Hitler

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Public sector pension action grows

Thousands of public sector workers were taking part in events across the country on February 18 to protest at New Labour's proposed changes in the pensions of more than seven million public servants. Strike action could follow next month.

Workers from across the public services - schools, colleges, hospitals, fire stations, government departments, local authorities, the prison service and many other branches of public service - are opposed to the changes to pensions, and in particular an increase in the retirement age.

The TUC is co-ordinating action across the public sector. Unions have complained that there has been insufficient consultation and negotiation on changes that in some cases have been rushed through.

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: "Cuts in pension provision are the same as a pay cut. The government’s attempt to raise retirement ages across the seven million who work in the public sector must add up to the biggest ever pensions change.

'We are against ‘work ‘til you drop’ policies. For those in heavy manual work or others with stressful and demanding jobs in fields such as air traffic control or north sea fishery protection, or for those whose work brings them into contact with members of the public in the health and social services, it will simply be impossible or lead to ill health and even shorter lives.

"Pay is often lower in the public sector than in comparable private jobs, and stress levels higher. A reasonable pension has always helped make up for this. Cutting back pension provision will hit morale and staff retention."

Up to 1.4 million workers could take part in strikes earmarked for 23 March. Earlier in February, week five public sector unions met Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott at the Labour spring conference in Gateshead for talks on the pensions issue but no deal was reached. The changes are due to take effect in April.

Along with Unison, the Transport and General Workers' Union's 70,000 and Amicus' 20,000 members are among those being balloted about a 23 March walkout.

18 February 2005