Mr Serwotka believes there will be support for the proposed walkout

The proposed strike action would take place on 5 November and is in response to the proposed axing of over 100,000 jobs in the service.

The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) expects support for the action.

The union's general secretary Mark Serwotka said the proposed cuts would hit essential services and result in a "poorer service for everyone".

The people the government is seeking to axe are not bowler-hatted Sir Humphries or faceless bureaucrats Mark Serwotka, PCS general secretary

The union said all its members in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be balloted during the first three weeks of October.

The announcement of the ballot came on the eve of the TUC annual conference in Brighton.

Last week Mr Serwotka hinted at possible strike action in an interview with BBC News Online.

'Disgraceful' cuts

Most government departments are likely to be affected by the dispute, including the Home Office, health and transport departments, inland revenue, customs and the Department for Work and Pensions.

Mr Serwotka stressed the PCS was in favour of improving efficiency, but argued job cuts would not be effective.

He accused the government of acting "disgracefully" over the job losses first announced by the Chancellor Gordon Brown in his last Budget.

"This is a dreadful way to reward some of Britain's hardest working public servants who toil every day of the year", said Mr Serwotka.

"The people the government is seeking to axe are not bowler-hatted Sir Humphries or faceless bureaucrats, they provide vital services that touch everyone's lives from cradle to grave."

The union leader said a strike by the civil servants was required in order for the government and members of the public to realise the importance of their work.

Working hours

He also levelled criticism at the Tory party, who have suggested the civil service would be slimmed down under a Conservative government.

"The majority of these politicians are completely out of touch - they should stop this macho political posturing about who can cut the most.

"Offices will close and services deteriorate if these cuts happen", he said.

The planned cuts would cause one in five PCS members to face an uncertain future, while increasing stress levels for those keeping their jobs.

The strike is being planned over a series of issues, mainly the job cuts but also over proposals for longer working hours and threats to civil servant pensions.