action on pay.
programme of selective and indefinite strikes.
Organiser, CPSA Haringey and Islington DHSS branch The two largest civil service unions - the Civil and Public Services Association and the Society of Civil and Public Servants held a 24-hour strike last Friday as a warning to Callaghan that they want the full implementation of the Pay Research Unit's recommendatons.
are expected propose rises of between 15 and 22 per cent.
November 1977 government agreeed with the civil service unions to reintroduce the pay research machinery as a basis for pay increases this year.
The promise helped union leaders to persuade their members to accept a 9.5 per cent pay increase in 1978.
The function Research Unit is to compare civil servants' wages with those Socialist Challenge 1 March 1979 page 6 CONCORDAT ENTHUSIASTS needed a very stiff strike in support of their pay claim, which is likely to be for a 25 per cent rise. It is being followed by a who do similar work and carry similar responsibilities private industry.
Friday's day of action hit all civil service departments, with over three-quarters CPSA's membership taking DATE The turnout from the SCPS was not quite so high. Joint strike committees were set up across London co-ordinate action, resulted in mass picketing in Whitehall. Tony Benn LO Michael Foot drove through in their official Rovers, the David Owen announce he had great pleasure in crossing the picket line.
The day's strike is now to be followed by a programme of selective and indefinite strikes the by civil servants in key areas.
This will include the Customs and Excise computer Southend, which will halt the Pay CONCCOR of £500m revenue a week. grants and subsidies to industry in of the which and while stopped worth £150m a week will also be stopped.
Statistics on such items as the at balance of payments will go by the board, and Ernie won't be VAT paying out on premium bonds Payments of until after the strike.
selective action is confined to a
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upper lip last Friday to hide their displeasure as yet another section of the labour movement moved into Upwards of 150,000 civil servants went on 24-hour