This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22035369
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Civil servants strike over pay and pensions | Civil servants strike over pay and pensions |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Civil servants from government departments and driving test centres have taken part in a strike over pay, jobs and terms and conditions. | Civil servants from government departments and driving test centres have taken part in a strike over pay, jobs and terms and conditions. |
| The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union said the half-day strike caused "massive disruption". | |
| The union said the dispute is to be escalated, with a week of strikes at the Home Office and UK Border Agency. | The union said the dispute is to be escalated, with a week of strikes at the Home Office and UK Border Agency. |
| Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude said the government's contingency plans had "worked well". | Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude said the government's contingency plans had "worked well". |
| The walkout is part of a three-month campaign of industrial action and started with a strike on the day of the Budget. | The walkout is part of a three-month campaign of industrial action and started with a strike on the day of the Budget. |
| 'Solidly supported' | 'Solidly supported' |
| PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka told a rally outside the Cabinet Office in Westminster that a week of strikes will be launched at the Home Office and UK Border Agency from 15 April, with different groups of workers taking action at different times. | PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka told a rally outside the Cabinet Office in Westminster that a week of strikes will be launched at the Home Office and UK Border Agency from 15 April, with different groups of workers taking action at different times. |
| The Home Office said it had not yet received any official notification of the proposed additional action. | The Home Office said it had not yet received any official notification of the proposed additional action. |
| Mr Serwotka said: "These walkouts have been very solidly supported and show the depth of anger hard-working public servants feel at having their living standards cut. | Mr Serwotka said: "These walkouts have been very solidly supported and show the depth of anger hard-working public servants feel at having their living standards cut. |
| "We warned the Home Office and UKBA that their belligerent approach would only serve to escalate the dispute and we are now planning a longer series of strikes that will cause even more disruption. | "We warned the Home Office and UKBA that their belligerent approach would only serve to escalate the dispute and we are now planning a longer series of strikes that will cause even more disruption. |
| "These walkouts are part of an ongoing campaign of industrial action and protests to put pressure on a government that is refusing to even talk to us." | "These walkouts are part of an ongoing campaign of industrial action and protests to put pressure on a government that is refusing to even talk to us." |
| 'Contingency plans' | 'Contingency plans' |
| Staff at the Home Office and UK Border Agency did not join the stoppage following a legal challenge by the government. | Staff at the Home Office and UK Border Agency did not join the stoppage following a legal challenge by the government. |
| Thousands of PCS members at HM Revenue and Customs will go on strike on Monday as part of the rolling programme of action. | Thousands of PCS members at HM Revenue and Customs will go on strike on Monday as part of the rolling programme of action. |
| Mr Maude thanked the "overwhelming majority of committed public sector workers" who he said had "remained at work today to deliver essential services. We are grateful for their dedication". | Mr Maude thanked the "overwhelming majority of committed public sector workers" who he said had "remained at work today to deliver essential services. We are grateful for their dedication". |
| He added: "Our figures show that only 40,793 civil servants heeded PCS' call to strike this afternoon - which represents less than 10% of the civil service. | He added: "Our figures show that only 40,793 civil servants heeded PCS' call to strike this afternoon - which represents less than 10% of the civil service. |
| "Our rigorous contingency plans have worked well. Throughout the day they have limited the impact of the strike significantly and as a result the majority of key public services have remained open. | "Our rigorous contingency plans have worked well. Throughout the day they have limited the impact of the strike significantly and as a result the majority of key public services have remained open. |
| "Talk of further strike action is disappointing - now is the time for us all to work together to ensure we can deliver exceptional public services, support growth and build the economy." | "Talk of further strike action is disappointing - now is the time for us all to work together to ensure we can deliver exceptional public services, support growth and build the economy." |