Paisley driving examiners strike amid ongoing pay dispute

Today marked the first wave of industrial action from members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) across the UK with a month-long rolling strike programme to follow.

READ MORE: Major strikes scheduled for weeks over Christmas and into January

Photo by Gordon Macpherson (Image: newsquest)

Workers gathered outside the DVSA driving test centre at the St James Business Centre to protest against a 2% pay increase offer which union bosses say is not enough to combat inflation during the cost of living crisis.

PCS members are also campaigning for improved pensions, job security and redundancy terms.

READ MORE: College staff in Glasgow to stage protest over staff cuts

Photo by Gordon Macpherson (Image: newsquest)

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “This is the start of the most sustained strike action by civil servants for a generation. 

“For the government’s own workforce to be reduced to using foodbanks because they can’t afford to buy food or burning candles at home because they can’t afford to turn their lights on is nothing short of a scandal. 

“They are determined, they are strong and they been left with no other way of expressing their concerns about the cost-of-living crisis than to take strike action.” 

Driving examiners and rural payments officers were the first to walk out and will later be followed by those working for the National Highways, the Border Force and a number of offices in the Department for Work and Pensions.