PCS: Support for passports strike solid on day two

The strong support for a strike by passport workers continued today as the stoppage entered its second day leading to further disruption in the issuing of passports and the cancellation of appointments and interviews.

The three day strike called by the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) comes as anger grows in the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) over office closures, draconian working practices and below inflation pay.

The UK’s seven regional offices continued to be operated by a skeleton staff with managers filling in as the 68 interview offices across the country were also hit.

Staff are angry over restructuring plans which could see the UK’s seven passport offices reduced to three. Plans have already been drawn up to close the Glasgow passport office which could see over 100 jobs go. The union believes that resources are being diverted from passport processing to the controversial introduction of ID cards.

The restructuring comes at a time when management are imposing a draconian performance management system which sets staff against one another and incorporates individual targets.

Staff have been further incensed by a pay offer which leads to the longest serving passport staff receiving no pay rise at all for the fifth year in a row. The pay offer worth only 2.5%, comes at the same time as nearly £50 million has been spent on consultants. Starting salaries in the IPS are as low as £13,109.

Commenting, Mark Serwotka, PCS general secretary, said: “Strike action is not a step our members take lightly and the inevitable disruption caused could have been avoided if management and the government had sought to address the concerns of staff.

“The continued strong support for the strike illustrates the depth of anger amongst staff, who not only have to contend with below inflation pay, but also face the word class service they provide being undone by office closures and draconian working practices. Further disruption can be avoided by management and the government addressing the concerns of staff over cutbacks, working practices and below inflation pay.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

* For further information, interviews and comment please contact Alex Flynn PCS national press officer on 0207 801 2820 or 07833 978216.

* PCS, the Public and Commercial Services Union is the union representing civil and public servants in central government. It has more than 315,000 members in over 200 departments and agencies. It also represents workers in parts of government transferred to the private sector. PCS is the UK’s sixth largest union and is affiliated to the TUC. The general secretary is Mark Serwotka and the president Janice Godrich.


Alex Flynn
National Press Officer
Public and Commercial Services Union
160 Falcon Rd
London SW11 2LN

Direct line: 020 7801 2747
Mobile: 07833 978 216
Fax: 020 7924 1847

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