Hundreds of DVLA staff to stage fresh strike as Covid safety dispute goes on
Hundreds of workers at the Driving & Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) are to stage fresh strikes in a long-running dispute over Covid-related safety.
Members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union based in Swansea, South Wales, will walk out from tomorrow until Thursday.
A series of strikes has already been held and the union is warning of months of industrial action unless the row is resolved.
The union is calling for a reduction in the number of staff expected to work from the office. The DVLA says it has taken measures to ensure the safety of workers and has followed official guidance.
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said the DVLA and Department for Transport were not interested in settling this dispute.
He accused managers of hiring contractors to carry out the work of those on strike.
He said: “The cost of using a contractor to carry out work done by DVLA staff could be used to settle the dispute alongside putting the original deal back on the table.
“Instead, public money is being wasted on trying to undermine our legitimate strike action, which will only have the opposite effect.
“Targeted action will continue at the DVLA for months to come unless the original deal, which both parties had agreed in principle, is back on the table
“Senior DVLA management have grossly underestimated the resolve and determination of our members who want to see a just settlement to this dispute.”
Last week, trade unions warned that increased homeworking could create a new class divide, as people who cannot work from home have little access to flexible working.
The TUC said nine out of ten people who worked from home during the pandemic want to continue doing their job remotely at least some of the time. There is also strong demand for other forms of flexible working such as control over working hours, it was suggested.
A survey of more than 2,000 workers by the TUC found people in higher-paid occupations are more likely to have worked from home during the pandemic than those in lowerpaid jobs.
Those who cannot work from home are significantly more likely to be denied flexible working options by employers after the pandemic, it was warned.
The TUC said ministers should bring in the right to flexible working for every employee, regardless of where they work or what job they do, and that every job should be advertised with flexible working options.
The call came amid growing evidence from business groups and unions that hybrid and flexible working arrangements will continue after the lockdown ends next month.
TUC general secretary Frances O’grady said: “Lots of workers will want to keep the flexibility of working from home, but no-one, whether they can work from home or not, should miss out on flexible working options that help them do their job and manage their other responsibilities too.”