Menu
23/01/2007
Civil servants set to strike
Thousands of civil servants are set to strike on January 31, following a vote in favour of taking industrial action.
More than 61% of members of the Public and Commercial Services Union voted in favour of industrial action in an ongoing dispute over job security, pay and outsourcing and privatisation.
The strike will affect the processing of millions of tax return forms, as it coincides with the deadline for self-assessment tax returns.
Millions of forms are often posted at the last minute, in order to avoid a £100 fine.
The PCS said that the strike will also affect over 200 government departments and agencies, including jobcentres, benefit offices, the Ministry of Defence and courts service.
The strike will also be followed by a two-week overtime ban.
Mark Serwotka, PCS General Secretary, said: "This overwhelming vote in favour of industrial action illustrates the depth of anger amongst the government's own workforce against crude job cuts and below inflation pay offers. Patience has worn thin with services suffering as a result of job cuts, billions being spent on private sector consultants and some of the lowest paid facing a pay cut in real terms.
"If the government are going to avoid ongoing industrial action, starting with disruption to the self assessment deadline then they need to give assurances over jobs, services and privatisation as well as making serious headway in tackling pay inequalities and low pay in the civil service and related bodies. I call on the management of the civil service to get around the table with us again and discuss our concerns."
Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden said that there was no need for strike action. He said: "The government values the civil service highly. If PCS members have concerns about job losses or pay, there is an established industrial relations process to discuss these issues.
"The PCS are the only civil service union to have balloted for strike action. We will do everything we can to avoid compulsory redundancies but cannot give guarantees it will never happen throughout the efficiency savings (Gershon) process."
(KMcA)
More than 61% of members of the Public and Commercial Services Union voted in favour of industrial action in an ongoing dispute over job security, pay and outsourcing and privatisation.
The strike will affect the processing of millions of tax return forms, as it coincides with the deadline for self-assessment tax returns.
Millions of forms are often posted at the last minute, in order to avoid a £100 fine.
The PCS said that the strike will also affect over 200 government departments and agencies, including jobcentres, benefit offices, the Ministry of Defence and courts service.
The strike will also be followed by a two-week overtime ban.
Mark Serwotka, PCS General Secretary, said: "This overwhelming vote in favour of industrial action illustrates the depth of anger amongst the government's own workforce against crude job cuts and below inflation pay offers. Patience has worn thin with services suffering as a result of job cuts, billions being spent on private sector consultants and some of the lowest paid facing a pay cut in real terms.
"If the government are going to avoid ongoing industrial action, starting with disruption to the self assessment deadline then they need to give assurances over jobs, services and privatisation as well as making serious headway in tackling pay inequalities and low pay in the civil service and related bodies. I call on the management of the civil service to get around the table with us again and discuss our concerns."
Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden said that there was no need for strike action. He said: "The government values the civil service highly. If PCS members have concerns about job losses or pay, there is an established industrial relations process to discuss these issues.
"The PCS are the only civil service union to have balloted for strike action. We will do everything we can to avoid compulsory redundancies but cannot give guarantees it will never happen throughout the efficiency savings (Gershon) process."
(KMcA)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
21 January 2004
Civil service union votes for strike action
The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) has confirmed today that its members had "voted strongly in favour" of industrial action in five government departments. The union said that its members had voted to take action as a result of "below inflation pay offers" from employers.
Civil service union votes for strike action
The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) has confirmed today that its members had "voted strongly in favour" of industrial action in five government departments. The union said that its members had voted to take action as a result of "below inflation pay offers" from employers.
20 June 2013
Civilian RAF Staff Begin 24-Hour Walkout
The civilian staff of five of England's RAF stations have begun strike action in a dispute over pay. A 24-hour walk-out is underway by employees of ISS, a food and cleaning services provider, at Cranwell, Scampton and Kirton-in-Lindsey in Lincolnshire and Cosford and Shawbury in Shropshire.
Civilian RAF Staff Begin 24-Hour Walkout
The civilian staff of five of England's RAF stations have begun strike action in a dispute over pay. A 24-hour walk-out is underway by employees of ISS, a food and cleaning services provider, at Cranwell, Scampton and Kirton-in-Lindsey in Lincolnshire and Cosford and Shawbury in Shropshire.
25 November 2005
Magistrate's court staff balloted on strike action
More than 7,000 workers in magistrates’ courts are being sent ballot papers for strike action over pay. The one-day strike, which would affect courts in England and Wales, is being planned in response to a 2.2% pay increase, which the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) Union says, would be below inflation for the majority of staff.
Magistrate's court staff balloted on strike action
More than 7,000 workers in magistrates’ courts are being sent ballot papers for strike action over pay. The one-day strike, which would affect courts in England and Wales, is being planned in response to a 2.2% pay increase, which the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) Union says, would be below inflation for the majority of staff.
24 September 2014
Public Sector Unions Threaten Strike Action Over Pay Freeze
Hundreds of thousands of public sector workers could stage a three day protest in October, in a dispute over pay. According to reports, health workers are expected to announce industrial action for 13th October, followed by council workers on the 14th, and civil servants on the 15th.
Public Sector Unions Threaten Strike Action Over Pay Freeze
Hundreds of thousands of public sector workers could stage a three day protest in October, in a dispute over pay. According to reports, health workers are expected to announce industrial action for 13th October, followed by council workers on the 14th, and civil servants on the 15th.
16 February 2004
90,000 civil servants go on strike
Around 90,000 civil servants have gone on strike today over a dispute following the government's pay offer. Members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) working in the Department for Work and Pensions and Driving Standards Agency took to the picket line this morning. The strike action will end tomorrow afternoon.
90,000 civil servants go on strike
Around 90,000 civil servants have gone on strike today over a dispute following the government's pay offer. Members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) working in the Department for Work and Pensions and Driving Standards Agency took to the picket line this morning. The strike action will end tomorrow afternoon.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
