| PCS on strike at DVLA after government scuppers last-minute deal By Tim Lezard 2nd June 2021 - 8:00 am More than 500 PCS members today start a four-day strike at DVLA, warning of a new phase of “sustained and targeted industrial unrest for months to come”. The comments come after the union last night accused ministers at the highest levels of government of scuppering a deal to avert strike action at the Swansea site. This week’s action is the third time staff have walked out in response to the largest outbreak of Covid in any UK workplace; more than 600 cases were recorded during the outbreak last year, including one staff member who later tragically died. Talks taking place to resolve the dispute collapsed yesterday, with the PCS saying the Department for Transport without explanation reneged on a proposed deal, much of which it had drafted itself. PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “In over two decades of negotiating within the civil service, I have never known a deal which was all but agreed to end a bitter dispute in a key government department, suddenly be withdrawn at the 11th hour without any explanation. “Through painstaking negotiation, our union and DVLA senior management were on the verge of agreeing a deal only for it to be scuppered at the last minute. “We strongly suspect senior ministers at the DfT have interfered with the progress we were making and want to make some kind of ideological stand against PCS, at the expense of coming to a just settlement both the union and DfT senior management were happy with. “They have grossly underestimated the resolve of our members in DVLA and have only emboldened them to take targeted and sustained action in the months ahead until they win. PCS is fully prepared for months of strike action, and we urge the government to re-think its position.” DVLA workers are back on strike – and you can support them by donating to their strike fund. More than 500 PCS members are taking action over workplace safety. Today is the third of four days’ action; this week’s action is the third time staff have walked out in response to the largest outbreak of Covid in any UK workplace; more than 600 cases were recorded during the outbreak last year, including one staff member who later tragically died. You can make a donation to their strike fund here: Account Name: Fighting Fund Levy. A/C No: 20331490. Sort Code: 60-83-01 Reference: DVLA If you would like to write in support of striking DVLA workers, please email responseteam@pcs.org.uk. |