Britain Faces a Summer of Strikes

Teachers, government stiffs, civil servants, health workers, postal workers, and even nuclear plant workers could bring much of the U.K. to halt this summer as unions take on the already embattled Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The Times of London reports:

"Ministers around Mr Brown, determined to restore his battered authority, warned union leaders last night not to try to exploit the Government’s difficulties.

But Mark Serwotka, of PCS, the Civil Service union, said: 'The 10p tax U-turn has shown that the Government can change its mind and it needs to change its mind on public sector pay. People on the minimum wage are facing rising fuel, mortgage and food costs and are being expected to take a pay cut in real terms. The Government has to act quickly to stem unrest.'

(Thursday) teachers staged their first national strike for 21 years, 100,000 civil servants in Jobcentres and benefits offices walked out over pay and workers at Grangemouth oil refinery prepared to strike over changes to pensions. Teachers are expected to set more dates for strike action.

More than 1.25 million workers in local government are being asked by their unions whether they will accept a 2.45 per cent pay offer..."

And the recommendation from union bosses will be to nix the offer and be ready for strike action -- which will only make Brown even more vulnerable to the Tories.

(Photo by Cate Gillon/Getty Images)