Greens back PCS strike action as Govt attempts to cut 100,000 jobs
30 January 2007
The move comes as the government continue to fail to give assurances on job security, drive down pay and pursue a dogmatic policy of outsourcing and privatisation. (1)
Derek Wall, Green Party Principal Speaker, said "The people going on strike do so to defend the services we all take for granted. They aren't high flying mandarins or faceless bureaucrats, but hard working ordinary people.
"Massive job cuts, low pay, privatisation, office closures, worsening working conditions and plummeting morale mean that the PCS will go on a one-day strike tomorrow - and they have the Green Party's support."
The selected day is the deadline for self assessment tax returns. It will be followed up by a two week overtime ban. The strike will impact on more than 200 government departments.
Derek Wall also highlighted misdirected government spending on the Iraq war and replacement of Trident, and emphasised the need for civil service managers to take seriously the concerns of its membership.
"If government want to avoid ongoing industrial action, then the PCS has a right to assurances over jobs, services and privatisation. The government that brought us the minimum wage is now called to account to make real progress in tackling PCS concerns over pay inequalities and low pay in the civil service and other bodies.
Mark Serwotka, PCS general secretary, said: "This overwhelming vote in favour of industrial action illustrates the depth of anger amongst the government's own workforce... Patience has worn thin with services suffering as a result of job cuts, billions being spent on private sector consultants and some of the lowest paid facing a pay cut in real terms."
(1) www.pcs.org.uk
