UK passport workers kick-off five week-long strike

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
3 Apr 2023 11:29

According to PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka, Ministers failed to "hold any meaningful talks" with civil servants despite previous negotiation attempts.

People queue outside the entrance to the Passport Office in Liverpool, Britain, on March 20, 2023. (Reuters)

In the latest series of walkouts waged amid the cost-of-living crisis, UK passport office staffers announced on Monday they are launching a five-week strike to protest low pay.

The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) blamed the government for failing to address public sector workers' demands, including those of teachers, health workers, and other civil servants.

Years of inflation combined with stagnating wages have left unions and their members infuriated over the government's lack of consideration.

According to PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka, Ministers failed to "hold any meaningful talks" with civil servants despite previous negotiation attempts.

"They're treating their own workforce worse than anyone else. They've had six months to resolve this dispute but for six months have refused to improve their two percent imposed pay rise, and failed to address our members' other issues of concern," he said.

"They seem to think if they ignore our members, they'll go away. But how can our members ignore the cost-of-living crisis when 40,000 civil servants are using foodbanks and 45,000 of them are claiming the benefits they administer themselves?" he added.

Unions say they want to negotiate salaries, jobs, pensions and work conditions.

Over 1,000 PCS union members are expected to participate in the strike, with picket lines stretched across eight different passport offices.

A nationwide strike is also due to be held on April 28, in which more than 130,000 civil servants are expected to show up.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has previously said that salary increases are unaffordable and may result in further inflation.

The UK government and teaching unions, however, earlier this month agreed to hold "intensive talks" a day after health unions said they had reached a deal on pay.