Civil service strike set for Budget day

CIVIL servants are to stage a strike on Budget day to launch three months of industrial action in a worsening row over pay, pensions and working conditions.

The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union said almost 250,000 workers will take part in a rolling series of walkouts and protests as it steps up its campaign against cuts.

A 24-hour strike will be held on 20 March, the day Chancellor George Osborne presents the Budget to parliament.

Further national stoppages will be held, targeting different parts of the civil service, with dates to be announced at a later stage. Other forms of disruptive action short of a strike will also be held, and the PCS said it would seek to co-ordinate with other unions on pay and pensions.