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'Massive response' to strike call Government 'open' despite strike
(about 4 hours later)
There has been a "massive response" to a call for Scottish Government civil servants to take strike action, a union has claimed. Scottish Government buildings have been "open for business as usual" despite a strike, according to a spokesman.
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. Members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union staged the protest as part of a dispute over pay and claimed a "massive response".
But the Scottish Government said the number who had taken part was not yet clear. But the government said 1,401 of its main centre staff had taken strike action, 41% of PCS-affiliated staff.
It said contingency plans meant disruption had been "minimal". Meanwhile local government members of the Unite union voted for strike action over public sector pay.
PCS Scottish Government members had narrowly backed strike action, with 931 voting for and 913 against, on a 54% turnout. Jimmy Farrelly, Unite Senior Regional Industrial Organiser, said: "Our members have rejected a below inflation pay offer and we could now see industrial action within a matter of weeks unless the Scottish employers address the issue of low pay."
A total of 1,261 voted for non-strike industrial action, with 500 voting against. He called on the Scottish Government to intervene to address the dispute.
The action is being taken by PCS members in the Scottish Government and Registers of Scotland. Two other public sector unions - Unison and the GMB - have also balloted for action over pay.
An overtime ban and work-to-rule is due to follow. Thursday's action was being taken by PCS members in the Scottish Government and Registers of Scotland.
The other unions in the government, Prospect and the FDA, have accepted the pay deal and will not be striking. A government spokesman said "all services have continued as normal" and he added that all government buildings had remained open.
The union claimed that across the board turnout was 95%.
Further action
There are plans for an overtime ban and work-to-rule to follow.
The Scottish Government spokesman said of the other two government unions, Prospect members have agreed to the deal and FDA are recommending their members accept it.
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.
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 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." 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."
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.