Civil servants to vote on strikes

Jan 16 2013

The Government is facing a fresh strike by civil servants after a union announced it is balloting 250,000 of its members in a row over pay, pensions and working conditions.

The Public and Commercial Services union warned of a series of walkouts across England, Wales and Scotland, adding that it would seek support from other unions about co-ordinated action.

Voting will start on February 8 and close on March 4, raising the threat of pre-Easter stoppages.

The union has already taken three days of strikes over pay and the long-running dispute over controversial reforms to public sector pensions.

Officials said the Government was planning to attack hours, holidays, sick pay and flexible arrangements under a review of working conditions announced last year.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said the lives of civil and public servants were being made more difficult by cuts.