Civil servants hold lunchtime pickets over pension levy

Civil servants around the country have held lunchtime pickets at their offices today to highlight their opposition to the public-sector pension levy.

The action is part of a campaign being organised by the Civil and Public Service Union.

It says its members are prepared to contribute a fair share in fixing the public finances, but will not sit back while lower and middle income earners are forced to bear the brunt of the pain.

The CPSU strike committee will meet next week to plan further action and the union is also supporting the one-day work stoppage called by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions for March 30.