Public sector workers down tools

Friday, 5 November 2004 12:00 AM

Civil servants launch their first national strike in over a decade today, with backing from other public sector workers.

The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) said it has the support of teachers, the RMT and other public sector professionals.

The strike comes after Chancellor Gordon Brown announced plans - in the wake of the Gershon review into streamlining Whitehall - to axe over 100,000 jobs - roughly one in five - in the local and central civil service.

Workers in tax offices, driving test centres, passport and benefit offices, and the Crown Prosecution Service will down tools for 24-hour stoppage.

The PCS expects over a quarter of a million workers in the public sector to support the strike.

The union held a ballot last month on whether industrial action was necessary.

Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the PCS, said he was confident of an "excellent turnout" on Friday.

"Up and down the country thousands of members are organising rallies, pickets, leafleting and stunts for November 5 to highlight the essential work civil servants do and to stand up for the services they deliver."

Leaders from the PCS and other unions will speak at a rally in London on Friday afternoon.

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