Prospect is calling on all members in the civil service to support the TUC's day of action on November 30.

The decision to hold a day of action across the public sector in protest at the government's attacks on pensions was taken by the TUC's public sector liaison group earlier this week.

It followed the pensions debate at TUC Congress.

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber stressed: "We remain absolutely committed, in good faith, to seeking a fair negotiated settlement of this dispute so that this action will not be necessary. But the government needs to understand the strength of unions' resolve reflected in today's decision."

A TUC statement added: "This call reflects the huge anger of public service workers over the threat to their pensions and the deep frustration over difficulties of securing government engagement in meaningful negotiations.

"This planned day of action will be an unprecedented coming together of the whole public service workforce and the communities they serve in a united demand for pensions justice."

Prospect's own civil service sector executive will meet on September 29 to agree a timetable for the ballot and other details of the campaign. Contingent authority for a ballot has already been agreed by Prospect's national executive committee.

Prospect deputy general secretary Dai Hudd said: "Prospect is still committed to trying to find an acceptable negotiated settlement to pension reform, and this decision will not diminish our efforts or resolve to achieve this.

"Until substantive progress is made in the negotiations, however, we call on all members to support our campaign and participate in the planned ballot."

In making its decision, the TUC took into account reports of the central talks held with ministers as well discussions across the various public sector schemes.

Hudd said: "While there are some differences between the individual scheme discussions, there is a common pattern of failure to provide essential data and an absence of progress or any meaningful negotiation on the crucial issues such as contribution rates, pension age, transitional protection or accrual."

A recent circular reported on Prospect's own discussions with the Cabinet Office and attached a letter to William Hague, director of civil service workforce reform, containing the union's request for specific information to aid the conduct of negotiations.

"We have made no progress on any of these matters since the meeting and have received no response to our request for information," said Hudd.

He added: "There has never been a more important time to demonstrate our strength in numbers. Please don't ignore non-members – speak to them, recruit them and get them involved."

Watch an interview with Dai Hudd here.

Non members can join Prospect on the website here.