Public sector workers 'plan Greek-style strikes' which could last for months

After winning a major legal victory for civil servants who are made redundant,militant union leaders warned yesterday of Greek-style strikes and protests.Refuse to accept painful changes,the furious public sector workers,tackle Britain's financial crisis could unleash a 'tidal wave' of strikes lasting for months.The crisis could be crippling with one in five workers employed by the state.

Yesterday, the Public and Commercial Services Union signalled if the future Prime Minister tries to wield the axe,the nightmare facing him.On a similar scale to protests that brought chaos to Athens, Greece,Union leaders are warning of strikes in the UK.
Described as "out of date and more expensive than almost any other available",The Cabinet Office had been trying to cut a gold-plated redundancy deal for civil servants.But at the High Court in London, Mr Justice Sales ruled that the Government had acted unlawfully.
The legal victory by the PCS follows a series of strikes by civil servants, including one on Budget Day.He said the cost-cutting changes to redundancy payments must be scrapped because it had failed to get union agreement before introducing them.

On a par with that seen in Athens where thousands of people demonstrated against the country's financial situation,the UK public services could be crippled by strike action.The terms of the old redundancy deal was very generous, with some long-serving-civil servants eligible to get about six years' pay if they joined before 1987.For example, a 46-year-old earning £24,000 who had been a civil servant for 25 years could enjoy a cash payment of about 6.2 years' salary, or about £150,000.
A comparable private sector worker would get only £8,360 under statutory redundancy rules. Bob Crow, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union, said: 'When the British people realise how seriously they have been misled by the political elite over the attacks on living standards and public services that have been kept under wraps, it will unleash a tidal wave of strikes and public protests that will mirror the growing resistance on the streets of Athens.
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 12:49 AM on 11th May 2010