Workers in ten government departments and agencies will join thousands of other public and voluntary sector workers in a strike over pay.
The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) stated that over 100,000 members will be on strike at the same time as other public sector workers, including teachers and lecturers in a one day strike on 24 April in protest at the government's policy to cap public sector pay to below inflation, which will result in cuts to living standards across the civil service.
In addition to members in the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), a number of departments and agencies, including driving examiners, immigration staff, jobcentre and benefits staff will be on strike over pay on 24 April. All are in dispute over below inflation pay offers with cost of living increases averaging 2% or less with a large number receiving 0%. They are:
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
The Home Office
The Department for Transport (DfT)
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA)
The Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency (DVLA),
The Highways Agency,
The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA)
The Vehicle Certification Agency.
The Land Registry will also be striking for two hours on 24 April.
Pay in the civil service is among the lowest in the public sector with starting salaries just above the minimum wage and with a quarter of staff earning less than £16,000. With inflation running at over 4% staff are angry at the government imposed pay caps that are resulting in pay freezes and pay cuts in real terms.
Full coverage of the April 24 strikes here:
http://libcom.org/news/april-24-tens-thousands-walk-out-18042008
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