Union fights cuts in court

A TRADE union went to the High Court in London yesterday to challenge the legality of government cost-cutting measures that threaten the level of redundancy pay for civil servants.

The Public and Commercial Services Union took its case to a senior judge following a series of strikes across the country. The union says changes made to the Civil Service Compensation Scheme without agreement will see existing staff "robbed" of up to a third of their entitlements – worth tens of thousands – if they are made redundant.

Nigel Giffin QC, appearing for the PCS, said negotiations had taken place with the government, but there was now "grave concern".