Action starts with budget day strike

Our programme of national industrial action will start with a strike on budget day on 20 March.

Meeting today our national executive agreed this will be followed by further walkouts, other forms of industrial action and protests over the next three months.

The campaign against cuts to pay, pensions and working conditions aims to put maximum pressure on ministers who are refusing to talk to us. It includes:

• All-day strike on 20 March to coincide with the budget, with rallies and demonstrations in key locations, including Westminster
• Further national and group strikes of varying durations, including half days and short walkouts, timed to have the greatest impact, with dates to be announced at a later date
• Industrial action short of a strike, including a national overtime ban until 20 June and disruptive action in groups
• Strike days interspersed with other protests and campaigning activities around specific themes

Consultation is now underway in groups on what forms and duration of action will be most effective. Our national disputes committee will meet weekly to discuss progress and tactics, and any decisions on a second phase after June will be taken after our annual conference.

We will also continue to seek the widest possible co-ordination with other unions on pay and pensions.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka told the media: "This is not a one-day protest, this is the start of a rolling programme of walkouts and disruptive action to put pressure on a government that is refusing to talk to us."