Serwotka slams "insulting" pay announcement

General secretary says unlike other unions that have had intensive talks leading to improved pay offers, PCS was  given no opportunity to negotiate

Commenting on today’s government pay announcement of an average of 4.5-5% rise for 2023, PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “This insulting proposal will serve only to anger PCS members, stiffen their resolve ahead of the forthcoming re-ballot and increase the likelihood of a new wave of sustained strike action.

“Unlike the health and education unions that have had intensive talks leading to improved pay offers, we were given no opportunity to negotiate – it’s the most deplorable way to treat their own staff.

“The government has carried on as if there hasn’t been the biggest industrial action in a decade, as if this has been a normal year.

“To make no improvement on 2022’s offer of 2% and to announce a below-inflation rise for 2023 is an insult and shows once again the government has treated its own workforce demonstrably worse than anyone else.

“We’re currently re-balloting 124,000 members in 186 government departments and, especially after this disparaging announcement, we’re very confident of a ‘Yes’ vote.”

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