TUC warns Government over pensions

The Trades Union Congress has warned the Government that it must do more to protect workers' rights, including pensions.

Speaking before today's opening of the TUC annual congress, general secretary Brendan Barber said that unions were prepared to consider strike action in order to defend pension benefits.

According to recent figures from the TUC, just 3.8 million workers had a final salary pension scheme in 2001, compared with 5.6 million in 1991.

The TUC is calling for contributions from both workers and employers to be made compulsory.

Meanwhile, the civil service could be set for national strike action, as the PCS union ballots its members on a proposed walkout, in response to Government plans to axe thousands of jobs.

Chancellor Gordon Brown announced the job cuts as part of his Budget proposals, earlier this year.