Roughly 100,000 UK Civil Servants Vote for Strike Action

Undated file photo of demonstrators from the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) protesting outside the Houses of Parliament in London. Philip Toscano/PA Media

The UK government is facing “sustained industrial action” by civil servants after roughly 100,000 union members working for the civil service voted to strike in a dispute over pay, pensions, and jobs.

The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) stated on Nov. 10 that the legal threshold for industrial action had been reached in 126 separate areas, covering workers ranging from driving test examiners to Border Force officials.

The union stated that unless it receives “substantial proposals” from the government, it will announce a programme of “sustained industrial action” on Nov. 18.

‘Huge Vote’

“The government must look at the huge vote for strike action across swathes of the civil service and realise it can no longer treat its workers with contempt," PCS General Secretary Mark Serwotka said.

“Our members have spoken, and if the government fails to listen to them, we’ll have no option than to launch a prolonged programme of industrial action reaching into every corner of public life.”

The union leader urged the government to “respond positively” to its demands, including “a 10 per cent pay rise, job security, pensions justice, and protected redundancy terms.”

“We regret this decision and remain in regular discussion with unions and staff,” a government spokesperson said. “As the public would expect, we have plans in place to keep essential services running and minimise any potential disruption if strikes do go ahead.

“The public sector pay awards are a careful balance between delivering value for money for the taxpayer and recognising the importance of public sector workers.”

Wave of Strikes

Public services in the UK are facing severe disruptions amid a wave of strike actions.

Also on Nov. 10, the Aslef union announced that train drivers in 12 companies will strike on Nov. 26 in their long-running dispute over pay.

Teachers in Scotland will walk out on Nov. 24 in the first strike action in Scottish schools in four decades, after the Educational Institute of Scotland union stated that 96 per cent of its members had voted for strike action on a turnout of 71 per cent.

On Nov. 9, the Royal College of Nursing stated that nurses at a majority of National Health Service trusts and health boards have voted to strike over pay.

In addition, more than 70,000 university staff at 150 British universities will strike on Nov. 24, 25, and 30 after the University and College Union announced that its members have overwhelmingly voted in favour of the action.

PA Media contributed to this report.