THE BATTLE over pensions is set to spread with the threat of a national rail strike.
The rail unions have joined forces to demand that pensions' contributions are kept at a reasonable level, benefits maintained and schemes kept open to new members.
Pension fund rules are set to trigger massive contribution hikes from July 1. Already in some of the privatised companies rail workers are facing the possibility of 22 to 25 per cent contribution levels.
The rail union General Secretaries have been touring the country addressing united union rallies to culminate in London on April 20.
They have announced that failure to resolve the dispute will result in ballots for action. Aggregate ballots of all the rail companies will mean that, unlike previous rail disputes since privatisation which have tended to be restricted in their impact, a nationwide total rail shutdown is possible.
It is clear that rail workers are angry with the way they are being treated.
Whilst the privatised companies have pocketed massive profits after contribution "holidays", the workforce have seen any pay increases immediately swallowed up in burgeoning employee contributions.
They are now faced with what amounts to a combination of massive pay cuts and threats to their future pensions. Doing nothing is not an option.