06.09.17
Union announces nationwide public sector strike ballot over pay cap row
A major union has today announced that it will ballot its public sector members nationwide over potential strike action to push for breaking the much-maligned cap on salaries.
The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) has taken the decision to ballot its members to gauge willingness to take part in industrial action against the pay cap and to seek funding for an above-inflation pay rise.
A statement from the union also said that there was “escalating chaos” coming from Number 10 over the future of the cap, and has reasserted its view that pay rises of at least 5% have to be delivered for all public sector workers rather than just a select few in certain positions.
The union also slammed the government for its “complacent and dismissive” response to requests to end the pay cap, with Cabinet Office minster Damian Green telling the PCS that “the Civil Service offers an exceptional package of benefits which are amongst the best available” and that in spite of 120,000 jobs cut, there is a “trade-off” between pay and jobs.
Sources close to the Treasury this week suggested that officials are in favour of lifting the cap, although reports also said that this was not something the Cabinet Office agreed with.
“The Tories have no mandate to continue with the pay cap,” PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said. “PCS has consistently argued that capping public sector pay is counterproductive, unjust and unnecessary.
“Civil servants keep this country running, yet they have seen cuts to their pay, pensions and redundancy terms as a result of the government’s austerity policies. It is only right that our members have their say and send the government a clear message over pay.
“We are clear, pay misery for public servants must end and the government must restore public sector pay to levels that allow working people to live with the dignity and security they deserve.”