National Highways workers begin strike ballot

National Highways workers are being balloted for strike action after their employer withheld the government-recommended £1,500 cost-of-living-crisis payment.

The more than 650 Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union members employed at 36 workplaces across England to plan, design, build, operate and maintain the country’s roads, are unhappy at missing out on the payment which has been made to employees of other government departments.

Four other employers – Welsh National Library and Museums, Care Quality Commission and British Museum– also threatened to withhold payment, but changed their minds after strike action was on the cards.

The £1,500 was part of the government’s pay offer for 2022/23 and comes after successful national strike action from PCS members more than doubled the original 2023/24 offer to at least 4.5%.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “PCS members at National Highways are furious at being excluded from this cost-of-living-crisis payment.

“All other employers have paid up so far, so we’d like to know why National Highways has decided, against government advice, that our hard-working members, who have kept the roads running during the summer, don’t deserve the money.

“Our members at National Highways have taken strike action before and they won’t shy away from taking action again if their bosses don’t do the decent thing and pay up.”

The ballot closes on August 31 2023.

ends

Bedford

Bristol (Almondsbury)

Bristol (Aztec West)

Bristol (Temple Quay)

Birmingham (Colmore Square)

Birmingham (Quinton Business Park x 2)

Birmingham (Wharfside Street)

Bolton

Buckfastleigh

Carlisle

Cheltenham

Chippenham

Darlington

Durham

Exeter

Fareham

Godstone

Guildford

Horley

Leeds

Lutterworth

Manchester

Mansfield

Nottingham

Penrith

Preston x 2

Runcorn

South Mimms x 2

Wakefield

Warrington x 2

Wellington

Winchester