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Strike could hit government work 'Massive response' to strike call
(about 9 hours later)
Thousands of Scottish civil servants are expected to take part in a strike on Thursday after a narrow vote in a dispute over pay. There has been a "massive response" to a call for Scottish Government civil servants to take strike action, a union has claimed.
The Public and Commercial Services Union has about 5,000 members working in the Scottish Government and Registers of Scotland. Members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) had voted narrowly for the one-day action in a dispute over a 2% cap on public sector pay.
The union is protesting against a cap on public sector pay rises at 2%. But the Scottish Government said the number who had taken part was not yet clear.
The government said it was "disappointed" at the action and contingency plans had been made. It said contingency plans meant disruption had been "minimal".
Union leaders expect 80-90% of their members to take part. PCS Scottish Government members had narrowly backed strike action, with 931 voting for and 913 against, on a 54% turnout.
A strike will be followed by an overtime ban and work-to-rule. A total of 1,261 voted for non-strike industrial action, with 500 voting against.
The other unions in the government, Prospects and the FDA, have accepted the pay deal and will not be striking. An overtime ban and work-to-rule is due to follow.
The other unions in the government, Prospect and the FDA, have accepted the pay deal and will not be striking.
The PCS said the "key work" of ministers and land registration in Scotland could be "seriously" affected.The PCS said the "key work" of ministers and land registration in Scotland could be "seriously" affected.
Further ballots
Three other public sector unions - Unison, Unite and the GMB - have also balloted for action over pay.Three other public sector unions - Unison, Unite and the GMB - have also balloted for action over pay.
The PCS is also balloting its members in the Sheriff and High Courts, and the Procurator Fiscals' department. The PCS is also balloting its members in the Sheriff and High Courts, and the procurator fiscals' department.
Eddie Reilly, PCS Scottish secretary, hit out at First Minister Alex Salmond and Finance Secretary John Swinney. Eddie Reilly, PCS Scottish secretary said: "Whilst ministers are busy briefing the press and media in Scotland on their contingency plans to deal with our industrial action, I think they need to be asked the simple question what contingency plans are they making for the devastating low morale of a low-paid workforce of 5,000 people."
He said: "It's time for Salmond and Swinney to come out of hiding and face up to their own workers.
"Their miserly pay offer to our members who earn £16,000 per year means a pay increase of only £4.20 per week. Low paid workers won't accept that."
A spokesman for the Scottish Government said it would not know until later on Thursday how many people were on strike, but said that managers had made contingencies to deal with the situation.A spokesman for the Scottish Government said it would not know until later on Thursday how many people were on strike, but said that managers had made contingencies to deal with the situation.
He added: "We're disappointed that the PCS had decided to take this action."