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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Thousands in public sector strike | Thousands in public sector strike |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Up to 20,000 civil and public servants in Wales are joining a UK-wide strike in a dispute over redundancy terms. | Up to 20,000 civil and public servants in Wales are joining a UK-wide strike in a dispute over redundancy terms. |
| The 48-hour stoppage by the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union is affecting job centres and courts, and the Welsh assembly government. | |
| The UK government insists the new rules are "fair" to both staff and taxpayers. | The UK government insists the new rules are "fair" to both staff and taxpayers. |
| A spokesman for the Welsh Assembly Government said: "We are working to manage any disruption to minimise the impact on the services we provide." | A spokesman for the Welsh Assembly Government said: "We are working to manage any disruption to minimise the impact on the services we provide." |
| He added: We don't yet know how many of our staff might take part." | He added: We don't yet know how many of our staff might take part." |
| The month-long action, starting with a two-day stoppage, is part of a dispute over changes to redundancy terms. | The month-long action, starting with a two-day stoppage, is part of a dispute over changes to redundancy terms. |
| The UK government is trying to impose new rules, which would mean a maximum redundancy payment of two years salary for those earning over £30,000 a year. | The UK government is trying to impose new rules, which would mean a maximum redundancy payment of two years salary for those earning over £30,000 a year. |
| Five trade unions have accepted the changes, but the PCS - which represents half of all civil servants - is fighting them. | Five trade unions have accepted the changes, but the PCS - which represents half of all civil servants - is fighting them. |
| Peter Harris, the Welsh chair of the PCS union, said efficiency changes were one thing but changes in redundancy terms for those losing jobs were not fair. | Peter Harris, the Welsh chair of the PCS union, said efficiency changes were one thing but changes in redundancy terms for those losing jobs were not fair. |
| Nearly two thirds of PCS members backed the strike, with more than 81% also supporting an overtime ban. | Nearly two thirds of PCS members backed the strike, with more than 81% also supporting an overtime ban. |
| The PCS claim the changes will see staff losing up to a third of their redundancy entitlements and could see tens of thousands of jobs being lost "on the cheap". | The PCS claim the changes will see staff losing up to a third of their redundancy entitlements and could see tens of thousands of jobs being lost "on the cheap". |
| 'Disappointed' | 'Disappointed' |
| Rallies are being held in Cardiff and Swansea, with pickets also outside buildings around Wales, including the national assembly, the DVLA and Caernarfon Crown Court. | |
| Cabinet Office minister Tessa Jowell said she was disappointed the PCS was taking industrial action. | Cabinet Office minister Tessa Jowell said she was disappointed the PCS was taking industrial action. |
| She said: "The changes to the civil service compensation scheme were agreed with five of the six civil service unions after 18 months of negotiation and consultation. | She said: "The changes to the civil service compensation scheme were agreed with five of the six civil service unions after 18 months of negotiation and consultation. |
| "These unions all agree with us that the resulting deal is fair for staff and taxpayers." | "These unions all agree with us that the resulting deal is fair for staff and taxpayers." |
| The employers are essentially the Labour government and for the employers to come out in support of the employees strikes me as odd Nick Bourne, Welsh Conservatives leader | The employers are essentially the Labour government and for the employers to come out in support of the employees strikes me as odd Nick Bourne, Welsh Conservatives leader |
| PCS Welsh secretary Peter Harris said civil servants did not "strike at the drop of a hat". | PCS Welsh secretary Peter Harris said civil servants did not "strike at the drop of a hat". |
| He told the BBC's Politics Show: "While bankers receive contractual bonuses civil servants have to lose their contractual redundancy payments." | He told the BBC's Politics Show: "While bankers receive contractual bonuses civil servants have to lose their contractual redundancy payments." |
| He said many civil servants would lose "tens of thousands of pounds" in redundancy pay outs. | He said many civil servants would lose "tens of thousands of pounds" in redundancy pay outs. |
| Mr Harris said he also welcomed assurances that Labour and Plaid assembly members would not cross picket lines. | Mr Harris said he also welcomed assurances that Labour and Plaid assembly members would not cross picket lines. |
| But Nick Bourne, leader of the Conservative party in the assembly, said: "For us it's business as usual. Our party will absolutely turn up at the assembly for business as usual on Tuesday. | But Nick Bourne, leader of the Conservative party in the assembly, said: "For us it's business as usual. Our party will absolutely turn up at the assembly for business as usual on Tuesday. |
| "While we defend the union's right to hold this strike - and no matter how justified the dispute may be - I am concerned that the decision to cancel all assembly business sets a dangerous precedent. | "While we defend the union's right to hold this strike - and no matter how justified the dispute may be - I am concerned that the decision to cancel all assembly business sets a dangerous precedent. |
| "I am sure, therefore, that the union will accept our need to carry on working as normal representing the people of Wales." | "I am sure, therefore, that the union will accept our need to carry on working as normal representing the people of Wales." |
| He said the Tories recognised the union had "genuine grievances" and said workers had "every right to strike". | He said the Tories recognised the union had "genuine grievances" and said workers had "every right to strike". |
| Responding to comments that Labour and Plaid members would not cross a picket line, he said: "The employers are essentially the Labour government and for the employers to come out in support of the employees strikes me as odd." | Responding to comments that Labour and Plaid members would not cross a picket line, he said: "The employers are essentially the Labour government and for the employers to come out in support of the employees strikes me as odd." |
| As well as government offices and agencies, ports could also be affected, although contingency plans are in place to minimise disruption. | |
| The chief executive of the UK Border Agency Lin Homer said "We are disappointed that PCS union members have voted in favour of industrial action. It means that the travelling public are likely to suffer disruption and delays at border controls as a result of this two-day action." | The chief executive of the UK Border Agency Lin Homer said "We are disappointed that PCS union members have voted in favour of industrial action. It means that the travelling public are likely to suffer disruption and delays at border controls as a result of this two-day action." |
| The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) urged boat users to examine their plans very carefully, although there were contingency plans to provide an emergency service. The rescue teams themselves will continue to operate as normal. | The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) urged boat users to examine their plans very carefully, although there were contingency plans to provide an emergency service. The rescue teams themselves will continue to operate as normal. |