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Thousands in civil service strike Thousands in civil service strike
(1 day later)
Thousands of civil servants are set to go on strike later, joining about 700 coastguard staff who are in the midst of a 24 hour walk-out over pay levels. Thousands of civil servants have taken strike action, joining a 24-hour walk-out by about 700 coastguard control room staff
About 100,000 workers from 10 government departments are angry over plans for pay rises to be capped below inflation, their union said. About 100,000 staff from 10 government departments struck over plans for pay rises to be capped below inflation, their union said.
The action coincides with separate disputes by teachers and lecturers. The government says small pay deals for public sector staff are needed to maintain long-term economic stability.
The prime minister has previously said the pay deals are needed to maintain long-term stability. The Public and Commercial Services union said further action could follow.
The Public and Commercial Services union said it will vote in May on further potential disruptions over summer. The strike on Thursday coincided with separate disputes involving members of the National Union of Teachers and some further education lecturers.
Maritime and Coastguard Agency staff began their third 24 hour stoppage in the dispute at 1900 BST on Wednesday. Maritime and Coastguard Agency staff began their third 24-hour stoppage in the dispute at 1900 BST on Wednesday.
General secretary Mark Serwotka said the scale of industrial action was huge and staff were "furious" over a series of below-inflation pay offers. The government's argument that paying public and civil servants a decent wage fuels inflation is disingenuous and discredited PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka class="" href="either url here">Strikers defy pay curbs
A Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) spokesman said about half of the 19 UK-wide search and rescue centres had closed as a result of the control-room staff walkout, but the volunteers who man rescue boats were unaffected by the strike.
Among the other workers joining civil servants on strike were Jobcentre workers and driving examiners.
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said the scale of industrial action was huge and staff were "furious" over a series of below-inflation pay offers.
'Discredited' claim'Discredited' claim
"The government's policy to peg public sector pay to below inflation is embedding a culture of low pay across civil and public services," he said."The government's policy to peg public sector pay to below inflation is embedding a culture of low pay across civil and public services," he said.
"It is scandalous that coastguard watch assistants, who save lives, along with other colleagues in the Civil Service who deliver essential services, would be paid just above the minimum wage. "It is scandalous that coastguard watch assistants, who save lives, along with other colleagues in the civil service who deliver essential services, would be paid just above the minimum wage.
"The government's argument that paying public and civil servants a decent wage fuels inflation is disingenuous and discredited.""The government's argument that paying public and civil servants a decent wage fuels inflation is disingenuous and discredited."
The government departments and agencies hit by the strike include the Department for Work and Pension, the Home Office, the Department for Transport, the Driving Standards Agency, and the Highways Agency. Government departments and agencies hit by the strike included the Department for Work and Pensions, the Home Office, the Department for Transport, the Driving Standards Agency, and the Highways Agency.
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