From the Labour Representation Committee ...

PCS members are taking two days of industrial action on Monday 8th and Tuesday 9th March to defend the Civil Service Compensation Scheme (CSCS).

The changes will see staff robbed of up to a third of their entitlements and see loyal civil and public servants lose tens of thousands of pounds if they are forced out of a job. The government is looking to save £500 million through the changes, based on the number of jobs it has axed over the last three years.

With all the main political parties planning deep spending cuts, the union fears that the cuts to the scheme will lead to tens of thousands of job losses on the cheap.

What you can do:
*Get down to your local picket line on Monday or Tuesday morning to show your support
*Lobby your MP in support of PCS members
*Attend one of the regional rallies on Monday 8th March
*Join the PCS March & Rally in London on 9th March

John McDonnell MP, LRC Chair, said:
“The Government has severely under-estimated the strength of feeling among civil servants and the anger that’s built up and led to this dispute.
“It is critical now that the Government returns to the negotiation table to avoid further disruption. This dispute could be resolved easily with flexibility from the Government.”

Katy Clark MP said:
“I think it is quite amazing that this is happening at a time when all the main political parties are calling for job losses.
“These are rights and entitlements which have been fought for over many years and if they’re lost now they won’t be got back easily.
“I think, quite understandably, civil servants are very angry about what is basically a cut in their wage packet.”

David Drew MP said:
“This is an outrageous intervention by Government relying on misinformation and spite rather than a fair policy on how we treat some of the lower paid members of the Civil Service who have given their life to public duty.”