The civil servants say they are poorly paid

The managers were suspended for refusing to conduct staff reviews under a controversial performance development plan.

Staff in the city staged wildcat walkouts in two offices on Monday.

Unions have called for urgent talks with the government to discuss relations within the industry.

The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has been hit by a series of strikes in recent weeks in a bitter row over pay, including the new performance scheme.

Industrial unrest

Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union, said: "Feelings were already running high over the unilateral imposition of the new pay system and senior managers, by suspending staff, are now only serving to inflame a worsening situation.

"The high handed tactics of senior managers flies in the face of attempts by the union to create a more positive atmosphere for industrial relations.

"Rather than fan the flames of industrial unrest by suspending staff left right and centre, we urge senior managers to sit down and find a negotiated outcome."

The union is preparing to take the DWP to the high court, arguing that the imposition of the pay scheme amounted to a breach of contract.

A spokeswoman for the DWP said: "End-of-year performance reviews are fundamental to the effective management of the DWP and to the delivery of services to our customers.