Nationwide strike over pay, pensions and jobs Francis Maude, the Cabinet Office Minister, described the strike as "futile" and insisted that talks over pensions will not be reopened. The walkout follows last November's huge stoppage by more than one-and-a-half million workers in protest at the changes to their pensions. Most public sector unions remain opposed to the reforms, which they warned would leave millions of workers having to pay more into their pensions, retiring later and receiving less when they stop work. But FDA members in senior grades of the civil service voted by almost 3-1 to accept the deal negotiated with the Government for new pension arrangements from 2015. "This result should not be interpreted as an endorsement by FDA members of the new scheme," said Dave Penman, the Deputy general secretary. FDA members remain deeply unhappy about aspects of the changes and the Government's approach to pension reform. Up to 16,000 off-duty police officers will don black caps representing each officer expected to be lost under the Government's budget cuts as they take to the streets today. The officers, banned from striking under law, will march through central London in a protest against proposed changes to their pay and conditions. Gail Cartmail, the Unite assistant general secretary, added: "Today's industrial action will build on the high level of anger that was on display during the November 30 strikes. This anger has been increased by the Government's hardline insistence that public sector employees work longer, pay more and receive less when they eventually retire. Our members believe that the Government is attacking their pensions as a means of helping reduce the budget deficit, which has been caused by a greedy City elite, that has brought the economy to its knees. This is blatantly unfair. George Osborne's austerity plans are beginning to sicken everyone. A work-until-you-drop culture in this country is not because people want teachers, nurses, firemen struggling at work into their 70s. The pensions dispute has been raging for more than 18 months, with warnings of further strikes next month and throughout the summer. Ministers insist the current level of public sector pensions is unsustainable and reforms are needed, saying workers will still receive decent payments on retirement. Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services union, said: "The coalition has reduced tax for super-earners while making cuts to vital public services like jobcentres, borders and tax collection. Public sector workers have seen thousands of their colleagues sacked, their pay has been frozen for two years and they are being told they must pay much more and work for up to eight years longer for smaller pensions. That's why hundreds of thousands of workers will be striking in opposition to the Government's prescription of austerity and misery that has plunged the UK back into recession. Immigration Minister Damian Green said: "This strike is completely unnecessary and we believe the public will find it unacceptable. The security of the UK border is of the utmost importance and we will use contingency plans to ensure we minimise any disruption caused by planned union action. We are preparing to use our trained pool of backroom staff and MoD police to boost staffing levels at ports and airports around the UK. Mr Maude added: "It is very disappointing that a handful of unions insist on carrying on with futile strike action which will benefit no one. We would urge these union leaders to reconsider their position. Pension talks will not be reopened and nothing further will be achieved through strike action. In March we set out our final proposed agreements on pension reform following more than a year of intensive discussions with trades unions. He added: "Our reforms ensure that public sector pensions will remain among the very best available and that they can be sustained for the future. Public sector workers are being asked to work a bit longer and pay a bit more, but they will continue to get a guaranteed pension which is index-linked and inflation-proofed. Most staff on low and middle incomes will receive a pension at retirement as good as what they expect today, and for many it will be even better. He contrinued: "Rigorous contingency planning is in place across all sectors to minimise the impact of the strike action and to ensure that key public services remain open. For example, in the civil service we expect that more than three-quarters of civil servants will be working normally.