ADVERTISEMENT
Britain’s passport office workers will go on strike for five weeks, starting next month, in a pay dispute, potentially disrupting the delivery of passports ahead of the summer holiday period.
More than 1,000 members of the Public and Commercial Services union will take part in the walk-out from April 3 to May 5 in a massive escalation of a long-running dispute over jobs, pay and conditions, Daily Mail reports.
It is feared the industrial action will have a ‘significant impact’ on the delivery of passports, further straining a system already struggling with a COVID-19 backlog.
It usually takes about 10 weeks to renew a passport, but in 2022, tens of thousands of people had to wait even longer due to the volume of applications after COVID-19 travel restrictions were lifted. Fast-track services are available but they are much more expensive.
The PCS general secretary, Mark Serwotka said, “This escalation of our action has come about because, in sharp contrast with other parts of the public sector, ministers have failed to hold any meaningful talks with us, despite two massive strikes and sustained, targeted action lasting six months.
“Their approach is further evidence 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 per cent imposed pay rise, and failed to address our members’ other issues of concern.
“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?
“It’s a national scandal and a stain on this Government’s reputation that so many of its own workforce are living in poverty.”
Peoplesmind
