You are:

  • Home »
  • Department for Work and Pensions group

CSCS Strike - 8th & 9th March

10 March 2010

Thank you for your strong support in DWP and CMEC.

PCS is writing to every member in DWP and CMEC today to thank them for the fantastic support of the 2 day strike on 8th and 9th March.

The DWP Group Executive Committee also wants to thank all the reps who co-ordinated the action, the picket lines, the rallies and the feedback including the text feedback and texted photos. The vast majority of members came out in protest at the government's plans to cut our jobs on the cheap.

The DWP GEC estimates over 80% of members supported the strike with the vast majority of staff not at work. Picket lines up and down the country reported good support and as many members supporting the action as there were in previous strikes, in some cases even more.

Many FTA members joined the strike – some on picket lines. They understood only too well that job security is worth fighting for.

Fantastic support from all PCS members

PCS members across the civil service have made it absolutely clear by their fantastic support for the strike that this issue is far from closed. By supporting this strike and the overtime ban which starts today and lasts until 6th April members will also make it clear that the issue of job security is not one we can afford to lose.

We all understand that the only way that the government can save money is by making us redundant. That is why we must stop them removing the protection which CSCS gives us.

Fantastic publicity and public support

The union achieved a good level of publicity for our dispute. Many members of the public fully understood what we are fighting for – not gold plated pay outs but job security. Senior management tried to keep the offices open but were only able to offer a skeleton service. Reports in the national press today even describe some managers being forced to resort to pretending to be an answer machine to cope with the volume of calls. The public will be grateful that normal service has been resumed today. PCS hopes that further disruption to services can be minimised by a swift improvement to our offer.

Next steps to win

The National Executive Committee meet tomorrow to receive updates from the national strike action, our political lobbying and campaigning, legal strategy and to decide the next steps of the campaign to maximise pressure on the Government before they call the general election. A further strike day may be named tomorrow. A further update to all DWP members will be posted on the PCS website and in the Friday bulletin.

Members united strike action and strong support for the overtime ban will convince them to start listening to us and improve the offer. Thank you for your support.
 

Downloadable version    DWP Circular - CSCS Strike 8th and 9th March

View all News