Why we take part in targeted action
Hard-hitting targeted action across many areas of the civil service has been fundamental to our national campaign over pay, pensions, job security and redundancy terms. As one PCS activist in the Passport Office explains, targeted strike action has made a massive impact
Andrew, a PCS activist in Glasgow, works for HM Passport Office (HMPO). From 3 April to 6 May, he was among the 2,000 members who carried out targeted action in Passport Offices across the UK.
Strong turnouts of members were recorded on all days of the HMPO strikes, leading to a significant impact on services. After four weeks, the effects of the action in Glasgow were stark: the number of appointments had been slashed and the amount of passports issued greatly reduced; new applications were left unprocessed and work that was already in progress had slowed considerably.
A powerful indication of the success of this targeted action was the dramatic rise (65%) in membership within the Scottish branch of HMPO during the targeted action.
Solidarity
Andrew shares the story of the success of his branch’s targeted action in the Scottish city, where “we held numerous well supported pickets, held fundraisers to pay back into the fighting fund and supported each other in every way we can”.
As well as witnessing an “outpouring of support” from the other trade unions and members of the Scottish parliament, solidarity from the public and PCS members from different branches and employer groups has been a particular highlight.
“We have visited our brothers and sisters in Ofgem to show our support and helped to spread the word of our fight through media interviews and rallies,” he tells us. “Every day we are reminded that our fight has the backing of the people and the support of those that can help to add pressure on our employer”.
While targeted actions such as those in Glasgow have made a difference - forcing the government to a propose a revised pay offer of 4.5 and 5% - Andrew recognises that “this is not where we want it to be and does not even begin to address the 2022 pay offer”.
“HMRC is the next department to step up and take visible action in the fight for our collective rights,” he adds.
“We as a union stand in solidarity with them and offer our full support in whatever way we can. We need to come together and stand strong to achieve the change we all deserve. United together, we are a force to be reckoned with and we must use this unified strength to ensure that the government listens to our demands.”
Show your support
Send your support to our strikers, email editor@pcs.org.uk
You can also support our striking members by making an online donation to our strike fund.
Complete our e-action, calling on your constituency MP to intervene with chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt.
Not yet a PCS member? Join online today.