Public workers to ballot for strike action

THE Public Service Executive Union is to ballot its 7,000 members for up to four days of strike action in protest at the public sector pension levy.

The union, which represents executive members of the civil service, will ask members affected by the levy to take two days of strike action initially to be followed by two further days of strikes in various areas.

PSEU general secretary designate Tom Geraghty said the union would exempt local social welfare offices and any other emergency services from the action so as not to affect the vulnerable in society.