Workers Revolutionary Party - CIVIL SERVANTS FURY OVER JOB CUTS

The News Line: News Wednesday, 31 January 2007 CIVIL SERVANTS FURY OVER JOB CUTS

PCS pickets during their recent strike action at at the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square

OVER 200,000 civil servants from over 200 government departments, agencies and public bodies are taking part in one-day national strike action today.

The strike by the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) against the axing of 100,000 jobs announced by Gordon Brown, will be followed by a two-week overtime ban.

Picket lines, demonstrations and rallies are taking place across the country and since 8am a battle bus has been touring picket lines in central London. At 11.45am there is a march from the Treasury to Westminster Cathedral Hall where a rally is starting at 12.30.

PCS General Secretary Mark Serwotka said yesterday: ‘Today’s strike illustrates the depth of anger over the damage crude job cuts are causing and the growing frustration over below inflation pay offers.

‘Far from having gold plated terms and conditions, thousands of civil servants earn just above the minimum wage and a quarter earn less than £15,430.

‘If the government are to avoid the prospect of more strikes and disruption then they need to give assurances over jobs, services and privatisation, as well as making serious headway in tackling pay inequalities and low pay in the civil service and related bodies,’ Serwotka warned.