Support the PCS strikes 8 / 9 March!

The Government are looking to cut around 100,000 jobs from essential services such as job centres. In an attempt to grab £500 million from the pockets of those they want to fire, they're trying to change the rules of the redundancy scheme (known as Civil Service Compensation Scheme, CSCS).

Imagine the devastating effect that job cuts on this scale will have on many vulnerable people in our society who rely on these services. Imagine the effects of an extra 100,000 looking for jobs, and 100,000 potential vacancies when people retire etc disappearing for good.

PCS union members have voted solidly for strike action to oppose the changes. They are taking strike action on 24 March after successful action earlier in the month.

If the Government is successful in its plans to cut the redundancy scheme, it will mean that our public services are more likely to be privatised. Private companies want to make as much money as possible, and they will try to do this by getting rid of staff and reducing services. This will be easier if redundancy protection is cut.

If you're unemployed, you may have experienced some of the private companies that are involved in providing public services, like A4E. These companies are more interested in profits than helping to find work that's actually suitable for people.

The media often try to portray civil servants as under-worked, over-paid, and having cushy jobs with massive pensions. There is no truth in this at all.

If you've been into an over-crowded Jobcentre in the last couple of years, you'll know how hard civil servants work.

Many people working on the frontline only get paid about £15,000 a year.

This is less than the amount that New Labour MP Elliott Morley claimed for a mortgage that didn't exist and about the same as Fred Goodwin (failed ex-boss of Royal Bank of Scotland) is rewarded PER WEEK by the taxpayer for helping to destroy the economy! Front-line civil servants provide a much more important service to society than fat-cat bankers! And compare Fred Goodwin's pension with an average civil servant who gets no more than £10,000 a year and often a lot less.

The politicians, backed by big business, are all talking about huge cuts in our public services. But why should we have to pay the price for this crisis of the bosses?

There are two and a half million looking for a job at the moment. Looking at the hopes of unemployed youth, this recession will mean we miss out on tens of thousands of potential teachers, doctors, nurses, fire fighters, etc.

This strike is about defending jobs. Youth Fight for Jobs, backed by the PCS union together with others, is also campaigning for a programme of job creation, and allowing people access to education. We are organising a day of action on 13 March, with demonstrations in Barking (London) and Manchester. See our website for more information.

Workers from across the public- and private- sectors, as well as unemployed people, pensioners and students need to unite together to oppose the cuts agenda.

The alternative is a 'race to the bottom' in services and working conditions, leaving only under-staffed and over-crowded offices or call centres, and insecure, temporary, low-paid jobs with minimal or no sick, holiday or pension rights. We cannot let this happen.

Come down to Government offices on strike days and give your support to workers on picket lines taking action. Write letters or emails to the media and your local MP, and post comments on forums, to support these workers. Ring up or text radio phone-ins to give support for the strike. Build support by talking to your friends, family, colleagues and neighbours. Organise a local support meeting in your area with speakers from Youth Fight for Jobs and your local PCS branch.

The trade union movement has an old saying - an injury to one is an injury to all. Let's bring that back for the 21st century by supporting the civil service strike.

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