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Driven to distraction over pay

16 September 2008

A one day strike by PCS members in the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has caused widespread disruption to driving tests and forced many local offices to close or offer a severely restricted service.

The strongly supported action on 29 August followed below inflation pay offers and widening pay gaps between the predominantly female staffed DVLA and the mainly male Department for Transport (DfT) and related agencies.

The union is claiming women executive officers in DVLA – the lowest paid area in the DfT – are underpaid in comparison with male driving examiners. Pay gaps between the two areas can be as much as £2,500.
Low pay and pay inequality has been further entrenched by below inflation pay offers and starting salaries of as little as £12,528.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “We have sent a clear message that we want to see an end to pay inequality and low pay. The department and the government needs to face up to the culture they have created and pay workers a fair and just wage.”

As we went to press, a number of DVLA equal pay tribunal cases were due to be heard. PCS reps are also organising a DVLA No Pay Day on 28 October – the day beyond which members have to work for no wages, compared with their colleagues in the DfT. The event will include a parliamentary drop in session at Westminster to raise awareness of the problem and to urge MPs to join our campaign to close the pay gap.

Members are urged to write to local MPs asking them to raise the issue with Ruth Kelly MP, secretary of state for transport, as well as attend the parliamentary drop in on 28 October For more on our DVLA pay campaign contact hannah@pcs.org.uk

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