Pensions staff to strike over pay

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Leaders of the Public and Commercial Services Union will meet on Tuesday to discuss what form the industrial action will take, including the prospect of a two-day stoppage.

The union announced that 62% of those voting supported strike action in protest at plans to impose a three-year pay offer.

The union claimed that around 40% of workers at the Department for Work and Pensions will not receive a pay rise next year, while the offer averages just 1% a year for three years.

On Monday, the union wrote to Work and Pensions Secretary Peter Hain, urging him to intervene in the dispute to avert strikes.

General secretary Mark Serwotka said: "It is completely unacceptable that the department should seek to impose pay cuts in real terms on hard-working staff who have borne the brunt of massive job cuts.

"The anger of staff is illustrated by this strong vote in favour of strike action over an offer that will see the lowest paid receive only 24p above the minimum wage if it is imposed.

"We urge the department to step back from provoking industrial action and re-enter talks on a pay deal that recognises the important role staff play in delivering essential services."

Turnout in the ballot was around 33%.

Union members at the department have staged a series of strikes already this year in disputes over pay and job cuts.