Mixed feelings about industrial strike action

A poll has revealed a split among workers as to whether Thursday's industrial strike should go ahead and whether or not it will be effective.

The poll of 1,000 workers by Harris Interactive and Marshall-James found that only 32% support strike action.

Forty per cent were opposed and 28% said they were neither in support nor in opposition.

A third (33%) said they believed it would lead to further government clamp downs, while 29% said it would cause the public sector to be held in lower regard.

Just 20% said they felt it would lead to a rethink of pension changes, the main cause of the industrial action by teachers, airport staff and public sector workers.

Twenty-five per cent said it would lead to more industrial action.

The poll looked at the views of 1,000 workers from a cross section of the private (71%) and public sectors (23%).

Andy Cook, CEO of Marshall-James, warned of more disruption beyond Thursday.

“I think this poll demonstrates that public sympathy is difficult for the unions to secure. Many private sector workers will look at the pensions enjoyed by a majority of public sector workers with a degree of envy, particularly as they fund the schemes through taxes," he said.

"This issue is set to run and run through the summer and autumn and I predict more unions will take action. The challenge will be to co-ordinate the strikes so they all happen at the same time."

Father Jonathan Baldwin, the Anglican chaplain at Gatwick Airport, told Premier Christian Radio that he was praying that not too many staff members would strike.

He said: "We dont know how many people will be going on strike. There may be some who choose not to go on strike so that's what we're praying for, that there won't be a great number of people."