Civil servants to be balloted for strike action

THE government is facing the threat of strikes by tens of thousands of civil servants over its controversial cap on pay.

The annual conference of the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) agreed that members should be balloted for industrial action.

General secretary Mark Serwotka, from Pontypridd, said civil servants had only received an annual 1% pay rise for the past 11 years.

NHS and other public-sector employees were being offered a bigger pay rise but civil servants were being “singled out” for worse treatment, he told the Brighton conference.

He accused the Prime Minister of “lying” by saying the 1% pay cap would end.

If there is a yes vote, industrial action will be “sustained” as well as targeted, he said.

A higher pay rise will only be given if more jobs are lost and efficiency savings made, he said.

Workers to be balloted include those in government departments such as the Home Office and Work and Pensions, driving test examiners, border control staff and tax office employees.

The union has been embroiled in a series of disputes over pay and jobs in recent years but the new ballot could herald the biggest national strike for several years.

Mr Serwotka said a yes vote would not lead to an immediate strike as further consultations would be made with members.

But a strong mandate for action would boost the chances of achieving a better deal, he said.

Mr Serwotka told delegates the Cabinet Office contacted him on Monday suggesting a meeting following publicity about yesterday’s debate on industrial action.