PCS announces more strikes in five government departments as union ramps up pressure on ministers

More than 2,000 civil servants working in five government departments will be taking new strike action as the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union ramps up the pressure on the government to resolve its long-running national dispute over pay, pensions, redundancy terms and job security.

British Museum workers will take seven days’ strike action over the Easter holidays (April 6-12), British Library workers will take 14 days’ action from April 3-16, while National Highways workers will walk out from April 3-7 and driving examiners employed by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will take regional rolling action from April 5-28.

Border Force officers and immigration staff in Belfast will also be taking action on April 12, 13 and 14.

Today’s announcement follows last Wednesday’s strike by 133,000 civil and comes after Friday’s news of a five-week strike by workers in the Passport Office.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “Ministers have had meetings with other unions but, in six months, have had no meaningful talks with us – our members are fed up with being at the back of the queue.

“Because of inflation and the cost-of-living crisis, their pay has effectively gone backwards during this time, so it’s no wonder they’re taking more strike action.

“And I can warn ministers that even more strikes will follow unless they engage with us and put money on the table.

"I’m often asked if our members can afford to strike. At this moment in time the answer is simple: they can’t afford not to.”