The threat of co-ordinated strike action by public sector unions forced the Blair government to back off from its proposal to cut pensions.

The unions had set 23 March as the day for a massive strike against Blair's plan to raise the retirement age from 60 to 65 and worsen their pension entitlement.

The ballot results from the unions showed overwhelming support for the strike call. In Northern Ireland NIPSA members voted 67 percent in favour.

With the scene set for a massive strike involving one and a half million local government and civil service workers, the government was forced into a humiliating climbdown.

This retreat is not the end of the matter. It is clear that the government intends to come back to the issue after the election if it is returned.

Whether New Labour or the Tories are in power, the next government will attempt to steal hundreds of billions from the pension entitlements of public sector workers. They will also try to continue the attack on state pensions which are already at a subsistence level.

The unions need to keep their powder dry in readiness for further attacks and be ready to respond with strike action against whatever government is returned on 5 May.