NATIONAL Highways workers are on strike until Christmas Day in the latest phase of industrial action by the biggest Civil Service union.

The strike, which began today, involves members of the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) in London and south-east England who work as traffic officers and in regional operating centres.

The four-day walkout by the workers, who plan, design, build, operate and maintain roads, follows action by colleagues in Yorkshire & the Humber and elsewhere in north-east and north-west England.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “We’re aware our action is likely to inconvenience travellers, but, even as we escalate it ahead of Christmas, we remind people this dispute could be resolved today if the government puts more money on the table.

“Our members are telling us they have to cut back their spending at Christmas time because they are running out of money. 

"They have been offered a below-inflation pay award at a time when inflation is higher than 10 per cent.”