UNION workers across Dorset will man picket lines in a show of solidarity against government changes to pensions.

Picket lines are being drawn today as union workers including those from Unite, the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) and workers at the Defence Support Group (DSG), protest against government changes to pensions.

The Police Federation of England and Wales is also taking part in the day of action.

Unions oppose the government’s pension plans that could see workers paying greater contributions, working until they are 68 and receiving smaller pensions.

There will be picket lines drawn at the main gates of Bovington and Lulworth military bases by civil servants from the DSG.

Nick Chaffey, organiser of the strike, said that workers were concerned about their pensions, the retirement age extending to 68 and their future job security.

He said: “Last time 96 people took action.”

He added he was hoping for a good turnout.

Allan Robertson, DSG press officer, said that there were ‘no plans to close Bovington’.

“It’s a national strike across all public sectors. DSG is not going on strike but certain union members might be.

“The strike next week is civil servants. They have called it over changes to pay and pensions. We have no plans to close Bovington.”

Andy Phillips who has been working at DSG for six years said: “Last year and the year before we were told that some people should take voluntary redundancy so that there’s enough work. They plan to close the place in 2014 – we had a meeting and we decided to strike.

“It’s a big employer with around 500 staff and more than that over the years.”

He added: “Bovington is one of those places that once you got into, it was a job for life. But now it isn’t.”

PCS representatives will be forming picket lines at Weymouth job centre, the Land Registry and Weymouth Magistrates Court.

John Aitken, who is a member of the Dorset branch of the PCS, said: “Usually we have a very good turnout on picket lines in Weymouth.”

He added that they were striking not just for civil servants but for everyone. He said: “It’s not only our pensions, it’s everybody’s pensions. They are talking about increasing retirement age.”

He said: “We want to send a very strong message.”

County's police join march

IN LONDON, hundreds of Dorset Police officers will join in a march against the cuts.

The Police Federation of England and Wales has organised the demonstration to highlight concerns about the consequences of 20 per cent cuts for public safety and the “disproportionate attack on policing” by ministers.

At least 200 off-duty officers from Dorset Police are expected to attend.

The Federation, the staff association which supports rank and file officers, says its members are angry about budget cuts to policing and the way they are being treated by the government.

Chairman of Dorset Police Federation Clive Chamberlain said: “The reality of the cuts to policing is really beginning to bite.

“In the past year alone, here in Dorset we have lost more than 108 police officers and 176 police staff.

“Elsewhere we are witnessing the privatisation of core policing roles as chief officers struggle to cope with budget restraints.

“The government and our local MPs need to be realistic about the outcome of severe cuts to policing – we cannot afford to compromise on public safety.”