Will Defra staff go on strike over pay conditions?
12th July 2024
Defra staff said they are “able to and prepared to” strike for fair working conditions.
Public and Commercial Services (PCU) Union members who work for the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs have handed in a letter to the new Defra secretary of state, Steve Reed, which was signed by around 1,400 people.
The letter congratulated Mr Reed on his new role and expressed members’ commitment to delivering the new government’s agenda, while stating that this “simply isn’t possible in the current pay climate”.
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Fair working conditions
The letter reads: “At such a critical moment, we must ensure that the workforce is equipped to face our collective challenges.
“So, while we never want to have to resort to withdrawing our labour, we find ourselves in the position where we are able and prepared to, to achieve fair working conditions for those delivering the new government’s environmental agenda.”
In May, 85% of PCS Efra group members voted to give a mandate for strike action over PCS national demands, including fair pay and a significant shortening of the working week.
“It highlights the decline in the pay and living standards of civil and public servants, with employees in Defra Group now finding themselves nearing the national minimum wage,” the union said.
READ MORE: Daniel Zeichner appointed as new farming minister
Critical junction
The members added: “One in 12 civil servants working across government are now forced to use food banks.
“At such a critical junction in the UK’s future, PCS Efra committed to ensuring the workforce is equipped to face the nation’s collective challenges.
“Even if this means having to resort to taking action so that they can deliver the new government’s environmental agenda.”
One union member said: “The kind of work we do is massively undervalued and has been for way too many years now. We’re being kept on the breadline and fearing the monthly bills.”
A Defra spokesperson told the media that the department acknowledges the concerns that PCS has raised on behalf of their members on pay.
“We are committed to working constructively and will hold official discussions with trade unions after the Civil Service pau guidance has been published,” they concluded.
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