Further public sector strikes could provoke a 'backlash', an expert has warned.

The recent public sector strike action is thought to have involved up to two million public sector workers who were demonstrating against changes to pensions. The action was deemed the biggest walkout in decades. Marc Meryon, Head of Industrial Relations at law firm, Eversheds, said:

“The public sector unions have championed the ‘right to strike’ but what of the rights of millions of others who have no final salary pension and whose private and professional lives will be disrupted? Increasingly the law is recognising the need to balance these competing rights. The courts are beginning to question whether the right to strike should be allowed to trample over the rights of individuals and businesses to carry on their day-to-day lives without disruption from strikes. So we anticipate that if further strikes are called there may be a backlash, not just from the government modifying the UK’s strike laws, but also from a society which places increasing emphasis on respect for the right of individuals to work and live without disruption from others.”

David Cameron branded the action a “damp squib” but Dave Prentis, Unison General Secretary, said:

“I wouldn’t call two million people taking strike action a damp squib. Cameron is sounding increasingly desperate in his attacks on public service workers. These people are angry public servants who the Government has driven to the end of their tether."

New research from the TUC this week found that 44% agree that the Government has put forward a new offer 'because of the threat of the strike' while only 14% think they did so 'because they listened to the concerns of public sector workers'. A further 20% think both equally.

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