Department for Work and Pensions PCS Strike Ballot Over Pay Dispute Postponed

The Public and Commercial Services Union has postponed its strike ballot at the Department for Work and Pensions following a formal challenge from the department regarding alleged inaccuracies in the ballot notice. The ballot, originally scheduled to commence on Monday, has been rescheduled to 19 January.

The union’s DWP group served formal notice of its intention to ballot members on pay matters on 12 December. The department subsequently challenged this notice on 31 December, citing concerns over the accuracy of information provided by the union.

PCS has characterised the challenge as an attempt to obstruct the ballot using legislation introduced under the Conservative government’s Trade Union Act 2016. This legislation mandates that unions provide employers with precise details of the number of ballotable members within each affected office. In the present case, PCS submitted notice covering 766 offices.

The DWP’s challenge centres on what it describes as inaccuracies in the information supplied, which the department maintains would compromise its ability to identify affected workplaces and implement appropriate contingency measures to maintain service delivery to its customers during any industrial action.

The union has contested the department’s interpretation, asserting that no legal requirement exists to provide every office address under the legislation, which operates on a “reasonable knowledge” basis. PCS has suggested the challenge represents a tactical manoeuvre designed to delay the ballot process.

In a statement, the union indicated that DWP management had claimed senior officials could not comprehend the information provided. However, rather than engage in protracted litigation, PCS opted to postpone the ballot briefly to address the department’s concerns.

Angela Grant, PCS DWP group president, stated that the department’s response demonstrates an unwillingness to acknowledge inadequate remuneration levels or seek additional funding from the Treasury for pay improvements. She indicated the union would utilise the additional time to strengthen its position ahead of the ballot and subsequent industrial action.

A DWP spokesperson emphasised the department’s commitment to ensuring all processes comply with legal requirements whilst maintaining fairness and transparency. The spokesperson noted that the current pay award reflects the department’s dedication to competitive remuneration and a supportive working environment for employees.

The dispute forms part of ongoing tensions between the union and the department over pay conditions, which PCS has characterised as poverty wages. The outcome of the postponed ballot could have significant implications for service delivery across the department’s extensive office network.