Glasgow passport office to take part in UK strike for five weeks over pay and conditions

Over 1,000 passport workers across the UK are set to strike for five weeks in the latest escalation of a dispute over jobs, pay and conditions.

Members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union working in Passport Offices in Scotland, England and Wales will take part in the action from April 3 to May 5.

Officers in Glasgow will walk out along with colleagues in Durham, Liverpool, London, Newport, Peterborough and Southport.

The strike is set to take place from April 3 to May 5 while those in Belfast will strike from April 7 to May 5.

The union said the action was a “significant escalation” of its long-running dispute, warning it was likely to have a “significant impact” on the delivery of passports as the summer approaches.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “This escalation of our action has come about because, in sharp contrast with other parts of the public sector, ministers have failed to hold any meaningful talks with us, despite two massive strikes and sustained, targeted action lasting six months.

“Their approach is further evidence they’re treating their own workforce worse than anyone else. They’ve had six months to resolve this dispute but for six months have refused to improve their 2% imposed pay rise, and failed to address our members’ other issues of concern.

“They seem to think if they ignore our members, they’ll go away. But how can our members ignore the cost-of-living crisis when 40,000 civil servants are using foodbanks and 45,000 of them are claiming the benefits they administer themselves?

“It’s a national scandal and a stain on this government’s reputation that so many of its own workforce are living in poverty.”