Minister sparks outrage as 2 million ready to strike

A BRITISH minister sparked outrage after accusing union “militants” of “itching for a fight” as plans were being finalised for a strike by up to two million workers, ranging from lollipop ladies and refuse collectors to head teachers and nuclear physicists.

Education secretary Michael Gove was angrily criticised after saying union leaders wanted to “wreck” economic recovery and cause public misery.

Unions said many workers involved in tomorrow’s walkout would be taking strike action for the first time in their lives, adding that the government was becoming “desperate” because it was losing public support.

British prime minister David Cameron said the strike would damage the economy, while it emerged that airlines have cancelled dozens of flights in and out of Heathrow.

Unison leader Dave Prentis said there was “absolutely no chance” of reaching a deal over the government’s pension reforms, announcing that the union had doubled its recruitment as a result of the dispute.

“It could be the biggest action since the 1926 general strike,” he said.

More than 1,000 demonstrations will be held as part of the action.