Pension reforms row: trade unions to ballot members on strike action: Brendan Barber press conference

Pension reforms row: trade unions to ballot members on strike action: Brendan Barber press conference; Brendan Barber Question and Answer (Q&A) SOT - [How many unions are now taking ballots and total workers?] 4 unions took ballots and secured mandate from workers, aware of 10 others with same intention ... represent millions of workers - [Which groups are involved?] The exact number I can't confirm at this stage but it's people from every part of the public service workforce - [Ed Miliband doesn't support the movement, why should the people?] I won't negotiate through the media, there are issues eg of contributions and indexation, lots of issues from Hutton's report- shape and terms of pension schemes.a mix of issues all a part of the negotiations. I am confident we will carry public support, absolutely, the attempt to divide public service from rest of community suggests they are leeching off community with gold plated arrangements- not a picture that wider public believe, and if I was private sector worker... do I have a better chance for pension if public is dragged down more,....absolutely not ... we will be making our case and I am confident we are winning as we did in discussions of arrangements - [Optimism for next meeting?] If that is what he said then I regret that- It takes two parties to be committed