Dave Prentis head of Unison: Wave of strikes could cripple country

Wave of strikes that could cripple the country as unions boss warns nurses, teachers, firemen and train drivers could unite for mass industrial action Head of Unison warns of industrial action over pay and privatisation Dave Prentis predicts 'biggest way of strikes in generation' Nurses, teachers, postmen, firemen and train drivers could soon conduct ‘the biggest wave of industrial action in a generation’, union bosses warned yesterday. Mr Prentis, who represents 1.3million public sector workers, said: ‘The pressure just builds up and eventually, like a pressure cooker, the lid blows off.’ On the brink: Unison General Secretary Dave Prentis warns of future strikes across several profession as workers are 'close to breaking point' over pay It is his ‘very, very strong view’ that there will be ‘major action around pay’ before the latest negotiations finish next April, he added. Bob Crow, the RMT’s general secretary, said: ‘The building blocks are in place for the biggest wave of industrial action in a generation.’ Firemen have already threatened to strike over pension changes, while teachers are planning regional walk-outs for next month. Super strike: Public service workers, including nurses, teachers and postmen, may be heading for ¿the biggest wave of industrial action in a generation¿ Postal workers are also expected to strike, as the Government prepares its controversial privatisation of Royal Mail.