Thousands of PCS public sector workers struck today to defend pensions ,their jobs and pay. In the North 3,000 workers took part in the action, Socialist Worker reports from the picket lines.

Tom O’Hagan from HM Revenue and Customs in Wellington Place,Belfast stated-‘Everyone knows why we are out. The government is ripping up contracts in a time when we are supposedly under negotiations –they aren’t listening to us and trying to change contracts anyway. If these cuts go through we will all be worse off, that’s why today is so important’.

‘It’s also great that the Teachers Union is out today usually it is just us out by ourselves’.

‘Already we’ve had a two day work to rule. Today’s Strike is just the start .All out strikes in the autumn is the only answer’.

Gayle Matthews, PCS rep for Millenium House was delighted by the action by workers.’ We’ve had a 95% turnout across Northern Ireland. This is an exceptionally good turnout and shows the level of anger at the attacks on some of the lowest paid people in society.

‘Today sends a clear message to the government that they have a fight on their hands’.

‘If the government doesn’t engage in meaningful talks they face further industrial action and civil unrest’.

‘We will be balloting again in the Autumn .ICTU have said they wont accept the cutbacks-there needs to be widespread action across the North this Autumn’.