Union members reject 2.5 per cent increase
23 July 2008
People hoping to renew their passports could be in for a long wait after up to 2,900 Passport Service workers went on strike in a dispute over pay.
Member of the Public and Commercial Services Union have taken industrial action, expected to last three days, after rejecting a 2.5 per cent pay increase. They say they have received no rise for the past five years.
Staff are also angry over the prospect of office closures, which could see the UK’s seven passport offices reduced to three.
The stoppage will affect the UK’s seven regional passport offices and 68 interview offices.
Mark Serwotka, PCS general secretary, said: “It is disgraceful that efficient hardworking staff should be rewarded with a pay cut in real terms.
"Cuts, below inflation pay and the introduction of a new performance management system have all undermined morale.
"With a quarter of the civil service earning less than £16,500, the government need to recognise the impact its policies of below inflation pay and cuts are having on hardworking families.”
The strike is the latest in a week of action which saw driving examiners, coastguards, Land Registry, Valuation Office Agency, Home Office and immigration staff take action over pay.
Last week, members of Unison and Unite working in local government went on a two-day strike over below-inflation pay rises.