WIREDGOV

Over 150 PCS members working for the NHS Pensions Division based in Fleetwood will be taking part in a one day strike today (2 April) in a dispute over a below inflation pay offer which sees some of the longest serving staff receiving 0%.

NHS Pensions Division staff will also be joined today by up to 5,500 PCS members working for the Land Registry who will be walking out for one hour over a separate below inflation pay offer with cost of living increases of 2%. The action will be followed by a continuous work to rule in both the Land Registry and NHS Pensions Division.

Today's strike action comes as tensions mount across the civil and public services over a series of below inflation pay offers which are a result of the government's policy to cap the pay of some of the lowest paid in the public sector.  

Strike action over pay has so far hit the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), the Department for Transport, the Driving Standards Agency (DSA), the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency (DVLA), Highways Agency, Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) and Vehicle Certification Agency. There has also been two strongly supported two day stoppages in the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) which hit Jobcentres, the Pension Service and Child Support Agency.

Commenting, Mark Serwotka, PCS general secretary, said: "There is growing tension and unrest across the civil service as the government persist in cutting the pay of some of the lowest paid in the public sector. Pay freezes and pay cuts in real terms do little for the morale of hardworking staff who have bills to pay and mouths to feed in the facing of rising inflation. Today's industrial action demonstrates people's resolve to make a stand for decent pay. With a quarter of the civil service earning less than £15,500 and thousands on the minimum wage, the government have to recognise that it is time to pay a fair and decent wage to civil and public servants."