A strike by up to two million public sector
workers was hailed as "historic" today - closing schools, courts,
museums and jobcentres, and disrupting transport, hospitals and
Government departments.
Unions reported huge support for the 24-hour walkout in
the bitter row over pensions, but warnings of massive delays at Heathrow
airport failed to materialise, with passengers saying border controls
were "better than usual".
Union officials accused the
Government of "ramping up" possible airport disruption and claimed that
"under-trained" staff had been drafted in to cover striking immigration
and passport workers.
"Some of those on duty today
don't have proper security clearance. They are not qualified to do the
job properly, which is a concern. We will take this up after the
strike ends," said an official from the Public and Commercial Services
(PCS) union.
The PCS said reports from picket lines
showed a "huge" turnout for the strike, with up to 90% of staff in some
Government departments, including Revenue and Customs, taking action.
General
secretary Mark Serwotka said: "I have been to pickets around central
London and spirits are sky-high, with many other unions besides PCS out
on strike.
"People should be very proud of the stand
they are making today, in contrast to the shame of the Government.
Public sector workers have come together today to show their united
opposition to the Government's prolonged and concerted attacks on their
pensions, jobs and communities."
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