DWP strike ballot now open

Vote now in the DWP strike ballot to send a message that you deserve fair pay, and attend this evening’s online ballot rally. 

From today (19) until 23 February, DWP members can vote in a statutory ballot to signal their willingness to take strike action over pay, after DWP refused to tackle chronic low pay and pay differentials with other departments in this year’s pay offer.

If you are a DWP member, you can expect to receive your ballot in the next few days.

You must complete the ballot form and return it by post, as required by law. Once you have posted your ballot, please let us know you’ve voted.

To mark the launch of the ballot, PCS will be hosting a live online rally at 6pm today on our X, Facebook and YouTube channels. 

Angela Grant (DWP group president) and Martin Cavanagh (PCS national president) will be joined by Fran Heathcote (PCS general secretary), John McDonnell MP, and Eddie Dempsey (general secretary of the RMT union). 

If you do not receive a ballot paper in the post, you can order a replacement through PCS Digital from noon on 24 January. You have until 10am on 6 February to request a replacement.

Read our frequently asked questions (FAQs) article for more information about the dispute and the ballot. 

Get involved

All across the DWP, activists and branches are busy trying to get the vote out. They are speaking to members about the importance of the ballot and leafleting outside of workplaces. 

PCS will be running 'Winning Campaign Schools'. These short training courses will be offered on a regional basis.

The union will also be running 'Movement' training. Movement is the PCS system that will allow you to join the DWP PCS group in contacting members about the ballot.

The first training session was at lunchtime on 16 January and they will continue daily (except at weekends) until January 26. If you would like to join us to help to win the ballot, please contact [email protected]

You can get more involved in three further ways:

  • Encourage your colleagues to join PCS, as every new member strengthens our collective voice. Any new member who joins PCS before 10am on 3 February will automatically be included in the ballot.
  • Become a PCS Advocate by asking your local rep how you can help deliver the pay rise you and your colleagues deserve.
  • Keep an eye out for updates on the ballot on our website, PCS’s social media channels, and in your email inbox.