United Kingdom Public Service unions have paused planned strike action after the Government offered to engage in “meaningful talks” over pay.
Members of the Prospect union were planning to walk out on 7 June across a number of Government Departments.
The FDA union, which represents senior Public Servants, has also suspended a ballot for industrial action.
Other workers, including rail staff, nurses, junior doctors and teachers, have already struck this year, as wages struggle to keep up with rising prices.
Last month, the Government published new plans for an average 4.5 per cent pay increase for Public Servants, with an additional 0.5 per cent for lower pay bands.
Inflation — the rate at which prices rise — dipped slightly from above 10 per cent to 8.7 per cent in April, but remains high.
General Secretary of the Prospect union, which has more than 32,000 Public Service members, Mike Clancy said the Government had communicated its willingness to engage in meaningful talks.
“Throughout this dispute, we have made clear our members should not be treated worse than other workers in the public sector and they deserve a pay deal that recognises the cost-of-living crisis that began last year,” Mr Clancy (pictured) said.
However, he added the union would maintain action short of strike, including only carrying out duties listed in employees’ contracts and an overtime ban, “and review that position in light of the talks that are promised”.
General Secretary of the FDA, Dave Penman said the decision to ballot for national industrial action over pay was taken by the FDA for the first time in 40 years.
“It was intended to send a clear message to the Government that enough was enough, as they had failed to demonstrate they valued the Civil Service equally with the rest of the public sector,” Mr Penman said.
“The invitation to talks is the first indication that this message has been heard.”
London, 30 May 2023
