DWP told about PCS strike ballot over pay

From 5 January to 16 February, DWP members will be asked in a statutory ballot if they are willing to take strike action over pay, after receiving an insulting pay offer.

Because of restrictive anti-trade union legislation, the ballot will be postal. This means that members will receive an envelope containing a ballot paper and a prepaid envelope to return the completed ballot paper. 

For any strike ballot to be successful, over 50% of members must participate in the ballot.  

If you are a PCS member working in the DWP, now is the time to check we have your correct details by logging into PCS Digital.  

If you log in to PCS Digital to confirm or update your details before 19 December, you will automatically be entered into our Christmas prize draw, where you could win one of the following prizes: 

• 11” Apple iPad
• 1x £200 voucher
• 1x £100 voucher
• 2x £50 voucher 

The Treasury allowed departments to raise the pay bill by 3.25%, with an extra 0.5% for dealing with pay issues.

Instead of dealing with issues of chronic low pay in the DWP - where over 20,000 members of staff face being on the National Living Wage for the fourth consecutive year on 1 April 2026 - the DWP used the 0.5% additional funding to prioritise SEO, Grade 7 and specialist pay.

The DWP also refused to take up the opportunity to submit a business case to the Treasury which, by its own estimates, could have found an extra £6.6m to address departmental pay issues.

Over the coming weeks, DWP reps will be handing out leaflets about the ballot and talking to members.

Members can offer to help them with this - or talk to other colleagues about the ballot to ensure they vote or join PCS if they are not already members.

• Join PCS if you are not already a member. If you are, talk to your colleagues to encourage them to join, as every new member strengthens our collective voice.
• Become a PCS Advocate by asking your local rep how you can help deliver the pay rise you and your colleagues deserve.