SWINDON could be paralysed by strike action if a pensions row is not cleared up.

The Government is trying to change the rules for public sector pensions, which has led to Unison, the public workers' union, baring its teeth at a national conference.

The rumblings of walkouts have come as part of growing concern that people will have to work for longer.

There are plans under consul-tation to raise the minimum age for drawing a public sector pension from 50 to 55 and for increased employee contribu-tions.

It has also been suggested that 65 would be the new age for public sector workers to draw a full pension.

Local government workers yesterday voted to defend the pension scheme, and strike if necessary.

On Friday there will be a discussion on whether to co-ordinate strike action over pensions among staff in councils, the NHS, education and police forces.

Bob Cretchley, Unison's branch secretary at Swindon Council, said union members in Swindon were up in arms over the proposed changes.

He added however that it was too early to discuss strike action.

He said: "People in Swindon share the national concerns. The pension scheme has been one of the attractive features about working in local government.

"The pay is not particularly good but the pension has always been reasonable.

"People are very annoyed that it may be changing.

"But it's looking pessimistic because the Government is consulting on the basis of a detrimental change."

Out of Swindon Council's 7,500 staff, 2,600 are members of Unison.

Outside of teaching staff, who number about 2,500 people and are affiliated to other unions.

This means Unison represents more than half of Swindon Council's workforce.

Unison's general secretary Dave Prentis has written to the Chancellor Gordon Brown outlining the union's opposition to the planned changes.

Mr Prentis wrote: "It has been argued that a reduction in the generosity of the public sector schemes is necessary in the light of the widespread cuts to pension provision in the private sector.

"We reject this assertion.

"The Government should be setting an example to the private sector in pension provision."

Unison members last went on strike in July 2002 with the GMB and TGWU when 1.2 million staff across the country walked out for the day to protest against low pay.

l The Department of Trade and Industry has said it will soon be publishing a timetable for consulting on new legislation coming into force in 2006 outlawing age discrimination.

There has been speculation that to comply with a European directive this would lead to the retirement age being raised to 70.

Tom Morton