The civil service union Prospect is gearing up to brief its members on the Island on the current public sector pay and pensions issues.

Prospect says it will take views from its 1,600 members on both issues, with a view to future action.

The consultation period on plans to integrate the existing pension schemes into a single package is due to finish at the end of the month.

Prospect says civil servants are being told by their employer they face a pay freeze, and are the only public sector group not to achieve a pay rise of at least two per cent or higher for the current financial year.

Negotiations officer Angela Moffatt said:

"Our members face a pay cut, and no guarantee of job security beyond March next year. They are being asked to take a pay cut in real terms, and across the service we are facing attempts to cut income in a range of employee groups.

"On top of this the public sector pension review proposes to give our members a six per cent pay cut in real terms."

The sessions are taking place over four days at various locations around the Island, including briefings at the Masonic Hall in Douglas on Thursday and Friday.