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Why PCS is striking and the need for joint, co-ordinated action
Alongside education workers, lecturers, bus drivers, railway workers and health workers, 133,000 civil servants will be taking strike action on budget day, March 15 in a significant escalation, writes FRAN HEATHCOTE
LOUD AND CLEAR: PCS picket Angela Grant outside the HQ of the Department for Work and Pensions

OUR members have had enough and are raring to join today’s mammoth strike action. When PCS re-balloted eight further areas that came close to beating the threshold last time — which included HMRC — all eight didn’t just beat, but smashed, the threshold the second time around.

In PCS, we have developed a strategy of targeted action, where distinct areas take action, on behalf of everyone — an action that is impactful and cannot be ignored. This is accompanied by all-member action, when we bring out everyone covered by the mandate when it can have the most impact, alongside other unions.

In our biggest dispute in over 20 years over pay, pensions, redundancy terms and job security, tens of thousands of our members have taken action since November. After a huge show of strength on February 1, more areas are making submissions for targeted action every week.

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