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Trade union leaders have called for massive public protests, as the war of words over public sector spending cuts intensifies. The call was led by the transport union, RMT, which has tabled a motion for next month's TUC Congress in Manchester, calling on other union leaders to join it for a summit on co-ordinating strike action. The union also calls on the TUC to organise national demonstrations and lobby Parliament against the coalition government's plans to cut public sector spending. Instead of the predicted massive cuts to the public sector, the transport union has called on the Government to scrap Trident, increase taxes for the rich, and close corporate loopholes. ‘Our defence must be built on generalised strike action and community resistance in the biggest public mobilisation since the anti-poll tax movement,' said RMT general secretary, Bob Crow. ‘The TUC has to be the launch pad for the fight back against the coalition government's decision to unleash all-out class warfare through its unprecedented attack on our communities, public services, welfare state and transport system.' The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) has also tabled a motion at the TUC Congress, calling for day of action against the cuts on 20 October, and a demonstration in London on 23 October. The PCS motion also supports more co-ordinated and joint union industrial action. Several trade unions have tabled motions calling on the TUC to protect public sector pensions. The GMB has called on the Government to enter into ‘meaningful negotiations' with the unions on any proposed changes to the pension schemes, while Unison has called on the TUC to lobby against raising the state pension age.

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WHITEHALL

Cuts prompt call for huge protest

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