"This is an automatic reply. As a member of the trade union SIPTU, John Murphy is currently on work to rule. This work to rule is being implemented by trade union members throughout the public sector.

"For this reason, you should not expect a prompt response to your email. Though most may not be aware, public service unions are deep into phase one of a nationwide campaign of action against finance minister Brian Lenihan's pay cuts imposed in last December's budget".

All over the country last week, members of the public were receiving such messages as public servants ensured that their strict work-to-rule began to hit home. The dispute is marked by an obsessive adherence to rules and regulations about working conditions, most of which are normally observed in the breach. "The underlying objective is to create inconvenience for our employer," said Tom Geraghty of the Pseu. Another union leader said: "Public servants don't do goodwill any more".

Below we sketch what is happening in each sector.

COUNTER AND PHONE SERVICES

This is where work-to-rule is having its greatest effect on the public. The militant Cpsu, representing clerical workers, is running the show here, along with the Pseu.

Last week in the Revenue Commissioners, public counters in large parts of the south east of the country were suddenly shut down for two-hour periods without notice. This created queues of up to 50 people in Wexford last week.

Rotated phone bans have also taken place in the Revenue Commissioners and in the Department of Agriculture, lasting a few hours at a time. Farmers enquiring or applying for grants are also being hit by phone bans or counter shutdowns.

Public offices close during lunch and on the dot of 5.30 with strict instructions not to do any overtime if requested. Email enquiries to public offices, which were replied to almost immediately, are now dealt with by post.

Forms handed in over the counter, but filled in incorrectly, have to be done again from scratch, considerably slowing the process. Also, there will be no quick replies to even the briefest of public enquiries, all of which are now dealt with by hard copy through the post.

"Many of the public have to be told the delays are down to industrial action," one union leader said last week.

So far, the unions have avoided hitting social welfare in deference to their private sector colleagues who have lost their jobs. In any case, the backlog in social welfare is so great that industrial action is unlikely to change that.

EDUCATION

The most obvious action in the education sector is that parent/teacher meetings are now held within school hours and not outside, inconveniencing parents who find it difficult to attend if they are working. In secondary schools, teachers are instructed not to teach practical classes such as metalwork and music that exceed agreed class size of 24 pupils.

HEALTH

While the health sector has the potential to provide a flashpoint, it has been strangely quiet so far. A contributing factor is that the two doctors' unions, the IMO and the IHCA, representing junior doctors and consultants respectively, are not participating in the campaign.

Also, the nurses' union, the INMO, received a battering the last time it took action in 2007 and is more wary now of rushing the barricades. Health workers have been instructed not to do any duties for positions that have not been filled nor do any additional duties unless they are paid for it. Working past the end of shift, unless it is paid overtime, is also banned.

With thousands of posts left unfilled in health in the last year, this is creating difficulties. While the unions have stressed that patient care will not be affected, this could spark a serious confrontation at any time.

Also, unions have withdrawn completely from the pre-budget transformation agreement which included tacit agreement to extend the working day. This means that the HSE cannot now significantly cut the day patient waiting list as would have happened had that deal been in place.

SECURITY

The announcement last week by the Garda Representative Association that 93% of its members had backed some form of industrial action was a very optimistic reading of the ballot results.

Of the half that replied to the 'survey', the vast majority – 65%% – did not want to withdraw their services but said they would take any action as directed by the association's executive.

Whatever action the GRA decides to take will have to be backed by the GRA's conference at the end of April so nothing will happen until May at the earliest.

GOVERNMENT

The aim here is to make life as miserable as possible for ministers and government TDs, an achievement which would have enthusiastic public support.

A ban on cooperation with information requests for parliamentary questions targeted at ministers Mary Coughlan, Dermot Ahern and Mary Hanafin.

Civil servants have also refused to carry files from building to building unless they have been trained in manual handling as required by health and safety regulations. Civil servants working on VDUs have been told to apply for an eyesight assessment again as required by health and safety regulations. As in health, civil servants have also been instructed not to do the work of anybody who is on leave – even people who are on union leave.

LOCAL AUTHORITIES

The main 'action' is a strict adherence to working hours with no working beyond finishing times unless it is paid as overtime.

Health and safety regulations are strictly adhered to which, given the physical nature of much of the work in local authorities, means such action is having far more effect than it would in the civil service.

WHAT NEXT?

With all action to date well below the radar, the unions will meet this week to discuss an escalation next month. On the agenda will be the possibility of stoppages targeted in certain areas.

"The aim is to crank up the action slowly over time and pressurise the government into returning to the table," one senior leader said last week.

But there are still some differences of opinion. Some believe in a softly, softly, approach and would be prepared to halt the action if talks can be arranged. Others feel it will take a lengthy and damaging stoppage to force the government to the table.

They also believe the action should continue during any talks and should be halted only when the union sees the colour of the government's money.

Overhanging the dispute is the possibility that some public servants will be suspended, sparking the kind of all-out warfare which could cause serious damage to the fragile economy.

"We would prefer a negotiated solution rather than a military solution," one senior union leader commented last week. He didn't say which he thought more likely.