Hundreds take part in public sector strike

4:30pm Wednesday 20th March 2013 in Local News

Hundreds take part in public sector strike Hundreds take part in public sector strike

CIVIL workers across the county staged walkouts today in a row over pay, pensions, and conditions.

HM Revenue and Customs staff at Alexander House in Southend joined picket lines in Victoria Avenue as thousands of workers nationwide took part in a strike.

The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union organised the industrial action to coincide with Chancellor George Osbourne’s budget announcement. Benefits services, jobcentres, and driving test centres were all expected to be disrupted.

The PCS’ branch secretary for south Essex, Andrew Lord, said: “Civil servants are uniting to defend everything we have worked for.

“We are demanding real negotiations with the government, not imposed cuts.

“Since December 2012 the PCS has been seeking meaningful negotiations with the government.

“So far we have had no response and this action has come about as part of the government’s failure to negotiate on pay, pensions, and terms and conditions.”

The union claims that its 250,000 members are suffering from a two year pay freeze and a hike in pension contributions. Many of them were expected to strike yesterday. Another half-day walkout for civil servants is also planned for April 5.

Comments (7)

4:58pm Wed 20 Mar 13

AndyBSG says...

"The union claims that its 250,000 members are suffering from a two year pay freeze and a hike in pension contributions"

What on Earth do they think everyone else in the Private Sector is facing? If they don't like it, they can leave and get jobs elsewhere rather than hold public services to ransom.

amazes me that in this day and age we only see strikes in the Public and not Private sector but that's because Private sector workers don't expect to hold their employers to ransom in this economic climate and are just grateful to be working rather than trying to bite the hand that feeds us.
"The union claims that its 250,000 members are suffering from a two year pay freeze and a hike in pension contributions" What on Earth do they think everyone else in the Private Sector is facing? If they don't like it, they can leave and get jobs elsewhere rather than hold public services to ransom. amazes me that in this day and age we only see strikes in the Public and not Private sector but that's because Private sector workers don't expect to hold their employers to ransom in this economic climate and are just grateful to be working rather than trying to bite the hand that feeds us. AndyBSG

6:34pm Wed 20 Mar 13

Nebs says...

They should open the jobcentres in the evening, to assist those claiming dole who are working in the black economy.
They should open the jobcentres in the evening, to assist those claiming dole who are working in the black economy. Nebs

7:05pm Wed 20 Mar 13

Rochford Rob says...

CIVIL workers across the county staged walkouts today in a row over pay, pensions, and conditions.

Did they? can't say I noticed.

Sack 'em all.
CIVIL workers across the county staged walkouts today in a row over pay, pensions, and conditions. Did they? can't say I noticed. Sack 'em all. Rochford Rob

7:56pm Wed 20 Mar 13

oslo m says...

Nebs wrote:
They should open the jobcentres in the evening, to assist those claiming dole who are working in the black economy.
Hold it ,i have been down that place today ,what a bad turn out no phones no staff ,i asked for a job
[quote][p][bold]Nebs[/bold] wrote: They should open the jobcentres in the evening, to assist those claiming dole who are working in the black economy.[/p][/quote]Hold it ,i have been down that place today ,what a bad turn out no phones no staff ,i asked for a job oslo m

7:56pm Wed 20 Mar 13

oslo m says...

Nebs wrote:
They should open the jobcentres in the evening, to assist those claiming dole who are working in the black economy.
Hold it ,i have been down that place today ,what a bad turn out no phones no staff ,i asked for a job
[quote][p][bold]Nebs[/bold] wrote: They should open the jobcentres in the evening, to assist those claiming dole who are working in the black economy.[/p][/quote]Hold it ,i have been down that place today ,what a bad turn out no phones no staff ,i asked for a job oslo m

2:03pm Thu 21 Mar 13

southendshrimper says...

Went past there in the morning there must have been 8 outside, went past again later & surprise surprise no one there. If they strike it should be law you must stand outside your place of employment.
Went past there in the morning there must have been 8 outside, went past again later & surprise surprise no one there. If they strike it should be law you must stand outside your place of employment. southendshrimper

6:02pm Thu 21 Mar 13

Ravenhill says...

southendshrimper wrote:
Went past there in the morning there must have been 8 outside, went past again later & surprise surprise no one there. If they strike it should be law you must stand outside your place of employment.
The Picketing Code of Practice states that, "pickets and their organisers
should ensure that in general the number of pickets does not exceed six at any entrance to, or exit from, a workplace"

That's why you only saw a handful of people.

https://www.gov.uk/i
ndustrial-action-str
ikes/going-on-strike
-and-picketing
[quote][p][bold]southendshrimper[/bold] wrote: Went past there in the morning there must have been 8 outside, went past again later & surprise surprise no one there. If they strike it should be law you must stand outside your place of employment.[/p][/quote]The Picketing Code of Practice states that, "pickets and their organisers should ensure that in general the number of pickets does not exceed six at any entrance to, or exit from, a workplace" That's why you only saw a handful of people. https://www.gov.uk/i ndustrial-action-str ikes/going-on-strike -and-picketing Ravenhill

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