The biggest Civil Service strike in more than a decade could come a step closer when the result of a ballot among 260,000 workers is announced today.
A one-day walk-out will go ahead on 5 November if members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union vote to strike in a disupute over jobs. Action would affect jobcentres, benefit agencies, pensions offices, customs and the Inland Revenue.
The possible action is in protest against government plans to axe more than 100,000 jobs as part of a new efficiency drive.
General secretary Mark Serwotka said: “We are not against doing things more efficiently, but cutting more than 100,000 jobs will decimate service delivery, meaning poorer services for everyone and damaging the very services the Government has sought to improve.”
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The union revealed it had recruited an extra 2,000 members over the past few months in response to the proposed cuts.
Civil servants have been involved in a series of disputes over pay and conditions this year, which have led to strikes across Whitehall departments and hit services across the country.
