Unprecedented support for N30 strike

From a PCS press release:

PCS reps across the UK are reporting more activity than ever on strike day as they join millions of members of other unions taking action to defend their pensions.

There are severe disruptions being caused by the action across the UK in an unprecedented show of support for strike action with an estimated 84% of PCS members staying away from work.

Between 80 and 90% of union members, working for the Department for Work and Pensions are taking strike action, with more picket lines than ever reported outside workplaces, with the majority of offices unable to function normally.

At Heathrow Airport more than 90% of the 1,200 PCS members have joined the strike. Only 10 cargo staff, who are non-union members, turned up for work on early shifts.

A number of closures are being reported at courts across England: the family court in Liverpool is closed, the city’s crown court is only open for remand hearings while there are no hearings at St Helens magistrates’ court or Nottingham magistrates’ court. There is also severe disruption at Northampton and Stoke combined courts.

At the Student Loans Company in Glasgow out of 1,200 staff only about 20 have gone into work.

At the Cabinet Office in London there has been the best-ever turnout for strike action. Across the city there have been well-attended picket lines with the highest ever number of PCS members striking at the Home Office in Marsham Street where there are 25 pickets and fewer than 50% of the workforce crossing the picket line.

There are also strong pickets at the Houses of Parliament, National Gallery and Imperial War Museum.

There is severe disruption at a number of museums in London with only the paying exhibitions managing to go ahead. At the British Museum only two rooms are open.