09:00 - 01 March 2008
Workers at Swansea's DVLA took strike action yesterday over a below-inflation pay offer.Many members of the public calling at the centre in Clase turned back rather than cross the picket line.
PCS union spokeswoman Sian Wiblin said that in some cases members were being paid up to £128 per month less than workers doing similar jobs elsewhere in the Department for Transport.
"For most people it was a below-inflation pay offer," she said.
"I think staff are disappointed at the under-inflation pay rise.
"The cost of living is going up but the staff wages aren't going with it."
The union said turnout for the strike ballot was 32 per cent.
"People had the chance to vote, that's all we can do, if they don't return their papers.
"But the support has been very good," she said.
After the strike the union has demanded an overtime ban and the introduction of a work-to-rule.
Swansea branch chairman Richard Jenkins said: "We will probably be withdrawing goodwill."
He said that the picket line would not be stopping the public going in to the DVLA.
"The public can get in - some have gone in, some have gone home but the public are supporting us as well.
"While on industrial action, we are sympathetic with the public.
"If someone has driven 50 miles they are not going to turn away, but a lot of people are turning away."
Royal Mail deliveries to the centre were halted as drivers refused to cross the picket line.
Action was also being taken at the DVLA's satellite centres in Swansea Vale and the new print facilities at Fforestfach.
A spokesman for DVLA said: "We are disappointed that PCS has chosen to take strike action, especially as less than 18 per cent of their membership voted for this course of action.
" We will be working to minimise any disruption to the public."
He said government agencies followed public-sector pay guidelines when reviewing salaries.
"Each agency is best placed to make decisions based on skills, business needs and competitive pay rates," he said.
"We are committed to fair treatment of all employees and have a good record on minimising job losses and on equality issues."