Next Gen News

The government has no democratic authority to impose these cuts; the Tories and the Lib Dems both pledged before the election to honour the existing indexing and accrued rights of pensioners. In the face of such ruthlessness, trade unions have a right and a duty to challenge this government.

• So we have a deficit problem and a pension problem, and, they say, we are all in the same boat. I 'pay cap MPs', nor the plans, MPs freeze \ pensions to read and the period in which they are paid is reduced. Maybe I missed reporting on this? If a strategy to reduce the deficit could be shown to be fair, all members of society, except the poorest, at the same rate, then maybe the need for strikes would disappear?

John Kramer

Leicester

• I have the position of public employees and supporting their plans for a strike tomorrow understand. I know it will inconvenience many people, but far less than the erosion of public services that the trade unions try to protect. However, I would encourage union leaders and activists, to more creatively about the future action days. Why do not reflect the successful "work-in" from previous campaigns? Teachers could run alternative curriculum, restoring their enthusiasm for the things they brought into the classroom, but which have abolished by successive governments. Social workers could devote their day to tackle the difficult problems of the most difficult individual client in any office. Tax inspectors were able to identify and to solve the longest-standing dispute in their area. Teachers could provide interesting public sessions on their topic. Court officials could work together with community groups to the complexity of the law and how to explain it to their advantage.

It just takes a little imagination, and builds on the best, give what these people already. And it certainly would be a whole series of positive, supportive stories instead of the truculent and poor coverage in the media, we can expect to see on Friday.

• Our band, Asbo Derek, are fully in support of tomorrow's strike action, will be on the picket lines and have consistently campaigned against cuts, the victimisation of public sector workers, and the coalition government's attempt to destroy the public sector in the UK (Which artist will dare break this deathly cultural silence, 29 June). It's not our fault that we weren't invited to Glastonbury!