Tuesday 13 April 2021

DVLA – People before Profit

By New Worker correspondent

At the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) at Swansea talks to avert strike action over Covid-19 health issues broke down resulting in workers taking strike action earlier this week. The four day Tuesday-Friday strike was organised by the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) who are deeply concerned about the lack of immediate moves by Management to reduce the number of workers on site. Since September 600 workers have tested positive for the virus, and one has died. Despite this most of the 2,000 workers till have to come into work, sitting just a metre apart.
     PCS is seeking a reduction in the capacity of the site by removing over 300 desks, a revision of risk assessments which has led to a further 300 staff being sent home to work safely from their homes. PCS points out that further consideration needs to be given to pregnant women and those who live with vulnerable people. It also demands from management a commitment on how to proceed in the talks over the coming months, in terms of extending home working, safety on site and any potential increase in the numbers of staff on site when it is safe to do so.
     Despite progress during the failed talks PCS argues “that the DVLA is able to give more than it is willing to at this stage and we believe that a strong show of strike action next week will help tip the balance to getting management to reduce numbers in the medium term and make the site safe”.
     Instead of a physical picket virtual rallies were held and an overtime ban begins this Saturday.

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