This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18320190#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Driving examiners and coastguard officials set to strike | Driving examiners and coastguard officials set to strike |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Driving examiners and coastguards are to hold several strikes against plans they say will hit jobs and pensions. | Driving examiners and coastguards are to hold several strikes against plans they say will hit jobs and pensions. |
A two-hour walkout on Friday by the examiners will be followed by a week of short strikes in the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). | A two-hour walkout on Friday by the examiners will be followed by a week of short strikes in the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). |
The Public and Commercial Services union said more will be held throughout June at the Department for Transport (DfT) head office and several agencies. | The Public and Commercial Services union said more will be held throughout June at the Department for Transport (DfT) head office and several agencies. |
The DfT said contingency plans were in place to keep vital services running. | The DfT said contingency plans were in place to keep vital services running. |
The PCS union said the planned closure of Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) offices would "wipe out the high quality face-to-face services these offices provide to the public and motor traders". | The PCS union said the planned closure of Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) offices would "wipe out the high quality face-to-face services these offices provide to the public and motor traders". |
'Entirely unnecessary' | 'Entirely unnecessary' |
The closure of eight of the UK's 18 coastguard stations would mean "the loss of life-saving local knowledge", it added. | The closure of eight of the UK's 18 coastguard stations would mean "the loss of life-saving local knowledge", it added. |
But the government said the changes to its coastguard provision would modernise the service. | But the government said the changes to its coastguard provision would modernise the service. |
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "With unemployment high and our communities suffering as a result of the government's cuts, ministers should be providing all the help they can to local economies that are crying out for support and investment. | PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "With unemployment high and our communities suffering as a result of the government's cuts, ministers should be providing all the help they can to local economies that are crying out for support and investment. |
"Instead they're ploughing on with entirely unnecessary and unpopular cuts to vital transport services. | "Instead they're ploughing on with entirely unnecessary and unpopular cuts to vital transport services. |
"These strikes across the whole range of transport services form a major part of our ongoing fight against cuts to pensions, jobs and pay." | "These strikes across the whole range of transport services form a major part of our ongoing fight against cuts to pensions, jobs and pay." |
The PCS said more than half of its members had backed walkouts with four out of five supporting industrial action short of a strike. | The PCS said more than half of its members had backed walkouts with four out of five supporting industrial action short of a strike. |
Mark Peacock, head of BSM driving school, said: "Taking your driving test is a big day and can be nerve-wracking enough without the thought of strike disruption. | Mark Peacock, head of BSM driving school, said: "Taking your driving test is a big day and can be nerve-wracking enough without the thought of strike disruption. |
"However, candidates who have chosen to keep their test booking for the afternoon of 8 June should still attend their test so it can go ahead if possible." | "However, candidates who have chosen to keep their test booking for the afternoon of 8 June should still attend their test so it can go ahead if possible." |
The DfT said it was "disappointed" at the decision to strike while it was still in discussions with the union. | The DfT said it was "disappointed" at the decision to strike while it was still in discussions with the union. |
The MCA said those striking would be staff responsible for co-ordinating rescues and "the rescuers themselves will continue to operate as normal". | The MCA said those striking would be staff responsible for co-ordinating rescues and "the rescuers themselves will continue to operate as normal". |
Helicopters would continue to fly and the RNLI would still send out its lifeboats, a spokeswoman added. | Helicopters would continue to fly and the RNLI would still send out its lifeboats, a spokeswoman added. |
Last week, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) staff voted to take industrial action over jobs and privatisation after a third of workers took part in the ballot. | Last week, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) staff voted to take industrial action over jobs and privatisation after a third of workers took part in the ballot. |
The PCS represents 55,000 members in HMRC, including tax advisers and call centre staff. | The PCS represents 55,000 members in HMRC, including tax advisers and call centre staff. |
The union says thousands of jobs face the axe over the next few years on top of 30,000 posts already lost since 2005. | The union says thousands of jobs face the axe over the next few years on top of 30,000 posts already lost since 2005. |
PCS members were involved in a 24-hour UK-wide strike by public sector workers last month over government changes to pensions. | PCS members were involved in a 24-hour UK-wide strike by public sector workers last month over government changes to pensions. |
The union is one of the largest in the UK with around 250,000 public sector members. | The union is one of the largest in the UK with around 250,000 public sector members. |
Will you be taking part in the forthcoming industrial action? Are you due to take your driving test on Friday? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. |