Civil servants to stage industrial action

Lower paid civil servants will today stage another round of pickets at Government offices over the controversial pension levy.

As the social partners prepare to re-enter talks on an economic recovery plan, the Civil Public and Services Union will hold a one-hour lunchtime protest across the state.

All Government departments and agencies will be affected, including Social Welfare, Revenue, Agriculture, Transport, Justice, Courts, Garda Stations, and Foreign Affairs.

The CPSU said it supports the resumption of talks announced yesterday between the Government, unions and business chiefs, which has led to the deferral of Monday’s national day of action.

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions said it was calling off its protest pending the outcome of the social partnership negotiations and the mini-budget due on April 7.

It is expected the talks, which collapsed two months ago over the pension levy, could be back under way within a matter of days.