by Katie Lamborn

Around 6,500 civil servants in Kent have walked out today over plans to reduce redundancy payouts.

The action is set to affect the UK Border Agency at the county's crossing points as well as job centres, benefit offices, courts and tax centres.

The Port of Dover said today it was "business as usual" despite industrial action by members of the Public and Commercial Services Union.

The nationwide walkout by 270,000 members is the biggest outbreak of industrial unrest in the service since 1987.

Nigel Buller, a union official who is picketing with customs officers at the Channel Tunnel, said: "Passengers won't probably be affected, they may just see a lack of control at the border.

"It's a great shame because we are professional people who take great pride in what we do but we have been forced into this situation by the government."

The RMT has given its full support to the PCS over their fight to defend the working conditions of their members.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said his union was currently balloting Network Rail staff for action. "We need to send out a clear and united message from the trade union movement that attacks on jobs, safety and workers rights will be met with the strongest possible resistance," he said.

"The politicians and the employers need to understand that there will be no easy ride in the race to the bottom on public service cuts and the undermining of pay and conditions."