~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~40~RS~)
Two million people strike: Pensions walkout explained
Page last updated at 06:33 GMT, Wednesday, 30 November 2011
- E-mail this to a friend [an error occurred while processing this directive]
Newsbeat explains why the public sector strike is happening
Millions of public sector workers are due to strike on Wednesday 30 November.
The walkout is likely to cause major disruption across the UK.
Public sector workers in lots of different jobs have agreed to strike on the same day to cause the maximum impact.
Here's Newsbeat's guide to the strike.
Why are public sector workers going on strike?
Workers are unhappy about changes to their pensions, which they say will leave them working for longer, paying more and getting less when they retire.
Ministers say there is not enough money to fund the pensions for people paid for by the government under the current system.
An independent inquiry recommended public sector workers should get a pension based on their average earnings throughout their career, not their final salary.
Who is going on strike?
At least two million people could be going on strike, including teachers, NHS workers, civil servants and probation officers.
Members of more than 20 different trade unions have voted for strike action and the Trades Union Congress is co-ordinating the national day of action.
Some of the unions involved have never been on strike before.
What will be the impact of the strikes?
Thousands of schools will be closed during the public sector strike
Two-thirds of schools are expected to close and there will be disruption in hospitals, although nurses and doctors are not be going on strike.
There will also be disruption at ports and airports, courts, government offices, job centres, driving test centres and council services.
The government has said disruption caused by the strikes will cost the UK economy up to £500m, unions have called that "fantasy economics".
Are the strikes likely to change anything?
The government has said there is "no more money on the table" for public sector pensions and that it has made a "very good offer".
Unions have warned that if the government does not change their pension offer there could be more strikes.
Changes to public sector pensions are due to take effect in 2015.
- E-mail this to a friend [an error occurred while processing this directive]
Print Sponsor
On Newsbeat today
Top stories
-
Whitney death photo shocks fans
A US tabloid has published what it claims to be the 'last picture' ever taken of the singer in the funeral home.
-
Inside Pakistan's 'secret' club night
Young Pakistanis speak about life in their country at a secret Ministry Of Sound club night on a mini-festival site in Lahore.
-
Number of 'Neets' rises slightly compared to last year
Figures show number of 16 to 24-year-olds in England who are not in education, employment or training has increased.
-
Newsbeat's guide to RBS troubles
As taxpayer-owned Royal Bank of Scotland reports a loss of £2bn Newsbeat looks at how it found itself in trouble.
-
YouPorn chat site in data breach
Users of YP Chat have had their personal information compromised after a security breach.
-
Snow Patrol to play T in the Park
The British rock band join The Stone Roses as main stage headliners at the Balado festival in July.
See also
-
Many thousands at strike rallies
01 December 11UK
-
Your views on strike action
30 June 11Politics
-
Youth unemployment rate 'to rise'
17 October 11Politics
-
How local service cuts could hit
14 October 10Politics
-
Another winter of discontent?
15 September 10Politics
Most popular stories now
shared
-
The myth of the eight-hour sleep
-
How did this man learn 11 languages?
-
7 billion people and you: What's your number?
-
Flaw found in fast neutrino story
-
Rowling to pen first adult novel
read
-
Whitney death photo shocks fans
-
YouPorn chat site in data breach
-
Gangs of youths clash with police
-
Facebook photo policy 'leaked'
-
Race to the bottom of the ocean: Ocean trench
-
More older staff 'working unpaid'
-
The myth of the eight-hour sleep
-
'Sex-ring girl grabbed by throat'
-
Gers' tax bill 'greater than £9m'
-
MP Joyce facing assault charges
© 2011