PCS: Driving tests hit as week of action over pay cuts begins

PCS: Driving tests hit as week of action over pay cuts begins

PCS: Driving tests hit as week of action over pay cuts begins

Up to 5,000 driving tests could be cancelled by the end of today, as over 1,500 members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) working for the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) take part in a one day strike over below inflation pay.

The action, coinciding with a 48 hour stoppage by members of UNISON and Unite in local government, also sees PCS members in the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) beginning two days of walkouts and action short of strike today.

Today’s action begins a week of action over pay that will see tens of thousands of PCS members join other public sector colleagues in opposition to the government’s policy of capping public sector pay below the rate of inflation.

Following on from today and tomorrow’s industrial action, Friday will see PCS members in the Home Office, including immigration officers, stage a one day strike and staff in the Land Registry walking out for two hours.

Friday will also see coastguards start a 48 hour stoppage at 7pm as their battle against below inflation intensifies following 3 days of strike action and an ongoing work to rule.

The latest round of industrial action follows a strongly supported strike over pay on 24 April co-ordinated by PCS, NUT and UCU. The union warned that it would be moving to a ballot for strike action across the civil service should the government continue in its refusal to review its pay policy.

Commenting Mark Serwotka, PCS general secretary, said: “The civil and public servants standing shoulder to shoulder for fair pay over the next few days aren’t paid vast sums and are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet. Inflation is at an 11 year high not because of public sector wages but because of soaring food, fuel and housing costs.

“Experts agree that public sector workers’ pay is not the cause of inflation. This vindictive policy of pay cuts, targets some of the lowest paid who deliver the every day services we take for granted. The government needs to think again and wake up to the misery that it is causing. We are meeting Ministers to press for a change but we will continue the fight alongside our trade union colleagues if necessary.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

* For further information, interviews and comment please contact Alex Flynn PCS national press officer on 0207 8012820 or 07833 978216.

* PCS, the Public and Commercial Services Union is the union representing civil and public servants in central government. It has more than 315,000 members in over 200 departments and agencies. It also represents workers in parts of government transferred to the private sector. PCS is the UK’s sixth largest union and is affiliated to the TUC. The general secretary is Mark Serwotka and the president Janice Godrich.

Alex Flynn
National Press Officer
Public and Commercial Services Union
160 Falcon Rd
London SW11 2LN

Direct line: 020 7801 2747
Mobile: 07833 978 216
Fax: 020 7924 1847

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