Striking for jobs and services

AS WE go to press, hundreds of thousands of civil servants are preparing to strike. Over 61% of Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) members voted to strike because of their anger over job cuts, working conditions and pay.

The one-day strike on 31 January affects over 200 government departments, agencies and non-departmental public bodies. It will be followed by a two-week overtime ban.

PCS president, Janice Godrich told the socialist: "Over the last few days we have seen the head of the civil service attempt to portray our dispute in a very negative way. PCS members have seen though this shabby tactic and all reports indicate that members are angry by this intervention and it has strengthened their resolve.

"Instead of conducting a war of words and discrediting a democratic ballot, the employer would be better placed to sit down and seriously talk about the problems our members face.

"All we are asking for are guarantees that other employers, including those in the private sector, have given their employees. These guarantees are fair and reasonable and if the political will was there on behalf of the employer this dispute could be resolved overnight".

The last national civil service strike on 5 November 2004 was supported by 200,000 workers.

There will be full reports of the strike in next week's the socialist.

Private hands off our health service