Len McCluskey, general secretary of Unite, said it was little wonder that working people were standing up for their rights in the face of the "abuse" they were having to deal with.
He spoke ahead of this week's TUC Congress, which opens in London tomorrow, when calls will be made for co-ordinated industrial action against the government's public sector pension reforms.
Len McCluskey (left) appearing on The Andrew Marr Show. Mr McCluskey said: 'All that this country has held dear for 65 years - education for all, our NHS, decent jobs and pensions in retirement, a future for our kids - is under attack'.
Civil servants and teachers held a one-day strike in June and further action is being planned for November, possibly involving a huge number of workers.
Mr McCluskey said: "All that this country has held dear for 65 years - education for all, our NHS, decent jobs and pensions in retirement, a future for our kids - is under attack.
"It is under attack by a government with no mandate and a feral ruling class that is being allowed to duck its duty to society.
"This abuse of the struggling many by the cushioned, untouchable few is causing division and stoking anger - little wonder that working people will be forced to stand up and defend what is rightfully theirs.
"Unite rejects the dogma of despair and fear peddled by this government. Let's explode some of the myths surrounding the poison government is spreading on public sector pensions. These are not gold-plated CEOs of FTSE 100 companies.
"These are dinner ladies who if they are lucky will earn a pension of £4,000 - and this government is planning to slash this further still.
"I for one do not want my grandchildren to be asking 'what did you do to stop this abuse and to stop my heritage being taken away?' and for me to reply 'nothing'.
"So, we rule nothing in or nothing out. From civil disobedience to industrial action, this is the moment we defend what is decent and fair."
Mr McCluskey will speak in a debate on trade union rights tomorrow, with calls to resist government attacks on employment rights.
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber will tell the congress that moves by banks to water down far-reaching proposals that will split their high street and investment arms should be resisted.
He will tell delegates in his opening address that recommendations by the Independent Commission on Banking, chaired by Sir John Vickers, should be defended against attacks by the banks.
In a speech to the congress, he will will say: "The Vickers team have been asked how to make the banks safe, but the real question is how we make them useful.
"Tougher capital requirements and ring-fencing will be bitterly opposed by the banks, who will now lobby hard to water them down. They should be resisted."
Public sector pensions will be debated by delegates on Wednesday.
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