It feels as if the talks on pensions have reached a low ebb. Given the scale of detrimental changes being proposed by the government, this could easily be described as one of our darkest hours. Each individual stands to lose a minimum of 25 per cent of the value of their pension benefits, for which they are being asked to pay substantially more. That's real money and for many the loss will mean real financial hardship.

Prospect proved during last year's talks on the civil service compensation scheme that it is possible to seek and achieve a negotiated settlement with this government. There were times during those talks when we felt that an agreement was not possible.

Some members wanted us to go down the route followed by other unions, in the courts and on the picket line. Events subsequently demonstrated that the strong, at times courageous, leadership of our civil service sector executive was not just correct but led to decisions that best protected their interests in a climate of job cuts and redundancies.

Unfortunately, so far we have been unable to achieve this during the talks on pensions. The sector executive has rightly decided to call on members to demonstrate their support for engagement, fairness and an acceptable outcome by taking part in the TUC's day of action on November 30, with the option for further action if there is no positive movement from the government.

As the leader of the opposition Ed Miliband has said, this government "should be engaging in proper, serious negotiations with the trade unions." We know that such an approach can work, as it did with the agreement reached on pensions with the last government in 2006-07.

This time, unfortunately, it looks as though we won't even get proper negotiations without a strong show of support on November 30.

We need members to stand up and be counted if we are to show this government that we speak with your full support. Is this our darkest hour? I am not sure, but there is unlikely to be any dawn if we do not act quickly and decisively.

Voting on industrial action in this ballot could prove decisive for your standard of living in retirement. Please do so with a resounding YES.

Dai Hudd, Prospect deputy general secretary