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Equal pay strike 'solid' at DVLA Equal pay strike 'solid' at DVLA
(about 2 hours later)
Union officials at one of Swansea's biggest employers say most staff are supporting a one-day strike over pay.Union officials at one of Swansea's biggest employers say most staff are supporting a one-day strike over pay.
The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) mounted a picket outside the centre which employs around 5,000.The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) mounted a picket outside the centre which employs around 5,000.
It claims there is a widening pay gap between the mainly female staff there and predominantly male workers at related transport agencies.It claims there is a widening pay gap between the mainly female staff there and predominantly male workers at related transport agencies.
The DVLA said it was maintaining services to customers and working to minimise disruption.The DVLA said it was maintaining services to customers and working to minimise disruption.
The strike was affecting up to 8,500 Transport Department staff across the UK hitting driving tests, regional centres controlling the flow of motorway traffic as well as the half yearly introduction of new number plates.The strike was affecting up to 8,500 Transport Department staff across the UK hitting driving tests, regional centres controlling the flow of motorway traffic as well as the half yearly introduction of new number plates.
The PCS said it was in response to a series of below inflation pay offers and widening pay gaps between the predominantly female staffed DVLA and the predominantly male Department for Transport (DfT) and related agencies.The PCS said it was in response to a series of below inflation pay offers and widening pay gaps between the predominantly female staffed DVLA and the predominantly male Department for Transport (DfT) and related agencies.
'Contingency plans''Contingency plans'
It claims pay gaps of £2,524 exist between DVLA and the DfT and has called for a departmental wide equal pay review.It claims pay gaps of £2,524 exist between DVLA and the DfT and has called for a departmental wide equal pay review.
PCS member Sarah Mayo said there was "strong support" for the strike and many of those crossing the picket line in Swansea were contractors working for privatised sectors such as IT and catering.PCS member Sarah Mayo said there was "strong support" for the strike and many of those crossing the picket line in Swansea were contractors working for privatised sectors such as IT and catering.
"We hope that after today they will look at equal pay and fund pay increases that are at least the rate of inflation.""We hope that after today they will look at equal pay and fund pay increases that are at least the rate of inflation."
In a statement the DLVA said "Maintaining a service to customers is a priority for the agency and we have established contingency plans to ensure disruption to customer service is maintained." In a statement the DLVA said "Maintaining a service to customers is a priority for the agency and we have established contingency plans to ensure disruption to customer service is minimised."