News In Focus
9 March 2010
Scottish Parliament, courts hit by strike action
The Scottish Parliament has suspended all business today and activities at courts and tax offices have been affected as public sector workers enter the second day of a 48-hour strike over changes to redundancy terms.
According to the Public and Commercial Services Union, workers could lose a third of their entitlement under the civil service compensation scheme. The changes are set to come into force next month.
The union said up to 30,000 of its members in Scotland have walked out.
About 200 of the Scottish Parliament's 500 staff are taking part in the strike. MSPs have decided not to hold committee meetings although a Parliament spokeswoman said resources had been made available to support the committees scheduled.
The action in Scotland is part of a UK-wide strike. Westminster Cabinet Office minister Tessa Jowell said services to the public were largely unaffected. However, the union warned queues would build at ports and airports, court cases would be delayed, and driving tests may be cancelled as the strike continues.
More UK-wide industrial action is planned ahead of the general election.