Conservatives are to lead a debate on public sector pension reform, branding the planned day of strikes on November 30 as "deeply irresponsible".

The Holyrood debate comes one day after MSPs voted against calls to stay away from parliament while up to three million people are expected to take part in the biggest display of unrest since the 1979 Winter of Discontent.

Tory MSPs will argue that the public sector makes a "valuable contribution" but there is an "urgent need for reform" of pension schemes.

The party's motion for debate on Thursday morning adds: "The planned strikes by the unions on November 30 2011 are a deeply irresponsible action at this time and will do nothing to help Scotland's recovery from the recession."

On Wednesday night, Labour and the Greens tried to clear the parliamentary timetable for November 30.

But the SNP criticised the plan, insisting it is every MSP's duty to be in parliament that day to send a message to the UK Government and wider public.

First Minister Alex Salmond's cabinet agreed on Tuesday to debate the issue on the day of the strikes.

Defending the decision on Wednesday, parliamentary business secretary Bruce Crawford said: "We have been afforded the privilege of being elected to this parliament to represent the people of Scotland. That is exactly what we should be doing.

"It is our responsibility, nay, it is our duty to be in parliament on November 30, debating the issues of such significant importance to the people of Scotland."

MSPs backed the SNP proposal by 83 votes to 36, with one abstention.