Union leaders are warning that a second day of action will take place before the budget.

Civil and public servants have been voicing their anger at the Government’s plans to cut their pay by taking to the streets.

Thousands of public sector workers have downed tools since early this morning as part of a day long strike.

Hundreds of teachers marched on the Department of Education, saying they had been forced into today’s action.

INTO President Marie Ni Chuinnigan says the government has alternatives to cutting their pay.

“We have to get into talks and see what can be done, how can we meet both the government’s needs and our needs. There has to be a way found around it and there are possibilities.” she said.

These workers at Our Lady’s Hospice in Harold’s Cross in Dublin say public sector workers feel scapegoated.

“It’s a pay cut here, it’s not a pension levy, it’s a pay cut…There are people in here who won’t get a pension who are paying the levy” one said.

Another worker said “People are seething; one because their pay is being cut but two because services are being cut by the government”.

They say if their concerns are not listened to, they will continue their protest until they are heard.