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    Scenes From the UK Anti-Austerity Strikes

    The UK was shaken by one of the biggest strikes in a generation on November 30, 2011, with an estimated 2 million public sector workers across the country walking out for 24 hours to protest about government changes to their pensions. Teachers, hospital workers, immigration officers and other civil servants demonstrated over the Liberal Democrat/Conservative coalition government’s plans to make them pay more for their pensions whilst working longer. The British government has argued that with pe

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    Austerity Protests Hit the UK

    The United Kingdom was shaken by one of the biggest strikes in a generation on Nov. 30. An estimated two million public-sector workers across the country walked out of their jobs for 24 hours to protest government changes to their pensions.

    Teachers, hospital workers, immigration officers, and other civil servants demonstrated over the coalition government’s plans to increase the cost of pensions, while at the same time raising the retirement age.

    The British government has argued that with people living longer it is necessary for workers in the public sector to pay more.

    Click ahead to see some of the scenes from the action, which unions are warning could be the start of a long struggle.

    By Bianca Schlotterbeck
    Posted 2 December 2011

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    Photo: Ben Stanstall / AFP/ Getty Images