WARNING: Today’s civil servant strike ‘to hit property deals’
Strike will affect Land Registry staff who are among thousands of mandarins due to strike today as they demand better pay.
Thousands of civil servants including staff at Land Registry are expected to go on strike today amid warnings it will slow the housing market down.
Around 100,000 civil servants are demanding a 10% pay rise and better pensions.
The strike is set to hit services provided by 123 government departments, which include the Land Registry and Registers of Scotland, the Leasehold Advisory Service, Courts and Tribunals Service and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
Another 33,000 civil servants from five departments, including those at HMRC, have been reballoted for strike action at another time.
“Industrial action is a last resort. But so far, the Government has refused to discuss our demands. 100,000 PCS members on strike on 1 February will increase the pressure on the Government,” a PCS union spokesperson says.
Talks offer
Cabinet office minister Jeremy Quin has offered talks on next year’s pay rise, but PCS insists that this year’s award must be increased.
David Alexander, CEO at DJ Alexander Scotland, warned when strike action was announced last month that it will likely delay property deals.
“While it is understandable that members of the PCS union feel the need to take action to secure higher wages it is inevitable that this will impact on the speed at which property transactions can be carried out,” he says.
“While this is just a one day strike it is inevitable there will be more if their pay demands are not met.
“Homebuyers and sellers must be made aware by their selling agent of any potential delays in the buying and selling process.”
