REDUNDANCY threatened workers at the crisis torn Office for National Statistics in Titchfield today went on strike over pay.

It is a show of solidarity with thousands of fellow civil servants from across the country who are also taking industrial action.

There was also a limited service at Fareham's social security office and JobCentre Plus in Civic Way as some members of staff went on strike.

Placard-waving union members and union representatives formed a picket line outside the ONS offices at Segensworth Road and handed out leaflets about their dispute.

The unions claim a bonus scheme is biased, there is little job progression, and that their members are some of the lowest paid in the civil service.

Representatives from Prospect and the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) revealed that nationally 40 per cent of ONS workers are earning under £15,000.

Negotiator for Prospect Rose Willis said: "We felt we had no other choice with the position that management have taken. We have tried all other avenues to avoid this.

"This is a significant strike action and will cause a day of disruption. There may be more strikes ahead if no agreement can be reached."

The industrial action comes just weeks after it was revealed that bosses at ONS are keen to relocate to Wales or Bristol - with the potential loss of 1,100 jobs.

PCS chairman at ONS Titchfield Gavin Kearn said: "I think it's pretty clear that the threat of closing Titchfield has also strengthened feeling in support of the strike action today.

"People are really hacked off with the fact that they can be working for a decade and not be earning anywhere near the top of their pay scale."

A decision about the future of Titchfield is expected to be made in the government spending review in July and workers have been told by management that it will not shut before 2006-07.