Public sector workers across the UK are today (23 Feb) taking part in a national day of industrial action.
The day is part of an ongoing campaign over the government’s programme to cut tens of thousands of public service jobs, low pay and privatisation of services in the Civil Service.
The action organised by the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), will see members:
- Not working any overtime whether paid or unpaid
- Taking full rest and lunch breaks
- Leave work on time
- If they are on flexitime, work the minimum hours required
- Organising public leafleting and petitioning across the UK.
The action follows a two-week overtime ban and a one-day Cvil Service-wide strike on 31 January which saw up to 200,000 civil servants walk out.
Mark Serwotka, PCS general secretary, said: “A lack of staff through massive job cuts is leading to hardworking civil servants doing large amounts of unpaid overtime to keep key public services running.
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“Added to this you have some of the lowest paid being asked to take a pay cut in real terms as the government seek to drive down pay with below inflation pay offers.
“Today’s action is about highlighting these two factors and saying to Civil Service management and the government that decent public services need enough properly paid and properly resourced staff to deliver them.”
