MORE than 1,000 tax officials walked out of work early today in protest over changes to their sick leave conditions.

The Revenue and Customs base in Alexander House, Victoria Avenue, Southend, was “practically deserted” after 4pm, according to the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS).

Disgruntled staff, who are furious at their managers’ decision to bring in tougher rules on the amount of sick leave they can take, are also expected to turn up to work at 10am today - an hour later than normal.

Andy Lord, the PCS’s south east Essex branch secretary, said: “The strike went very well. We believe the office was practically deserted, which is what we were aiming to achieve.

“We feel we are making are point. This is a straight dispute with our managers and we’re very sorry that it has affected the public.

“Striking was a last resort.”

Last year, Revenue and Customs bosses announced staff who receive sick pay for more than five days, or take sick leave on more than three occasions during a year, could face disciplinary action.

They said the move was designed to cut the sick pay bill, but union chiefs claimed it was simply a ploy to sack staff.