What striking workers don’t tell you about public sector pay

You’ve got to hand it to the trade unions: they’ve done a fine job rallying the public behind industrial action that has caused widespread disruption and inconvenience. Despite train cancellations, school closures and medical appointment delays, nearly two-thirds of the British back the nurses’ walkout and close to half back the teachers’ strike. Even sizeable minorities support the ongoing train strikes, according to recent polling. 

The argument from the unions – that their hardworking members deserve a hefty pay rise (in order to ‘improve service’) – has captured the public imagination. But how many of those who complete YouGov or Opinium surveys stop to consider the huge discrepancy between public and private sector pensions?

This is the glaring omission in the ongoing debate over pay. It is feebly referenced by Tory politicians and ignored by Labour.