Public sector strikes to affect Melbourne airport, Centrelink

Victorians should expect disruptions to government services including Medicare, Centrelink and the state's international airport when public sector workers walk off the job for four hours.

As part of a pay dispute between workers and the federal government that began in March 2014, hundreds of public sector workers will strike on Thursday as they gather for mass meetings at Melbourne Town Hall and Geelong Town Hall from 10am.

Community and Public Sector Union national secretary Nadine Flood says workers have no other option to defend their rights, conditions and pay.

"Customs officers could lose up to $8000 a year from their take-home pay because allowances are being slashed while part-timers and casuals in Centrelink and Medicare would get less money for doing the same work," Ms Flood said.

Government agencies taking part in the strike include Agriculture, Customs and Immigration, Education, Employment, Environment, Human Services, Veterans' Affairs, Australian Tax Office and the Bureau of Meteorology, among others.