Thousands of civil servants have initiated “indefinite” industrial action after being mandated to work three days a week. Approximately 4,000 Land Registry staff across 14 offices will refuse certain duties starting January 21, impacting homebuyers reliant on their services. This action, classified as non-strike activity, could lead to backlogs as staff avoid taking on extra work. The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) expressed disappointment over the imposed changes and has not ruled out a full-scale strike. Critics argue this resistance undermines productivity, especially amid a significant backlog in application processing.
Yesterday, thousands of civil servants launched an “indefinite” industrial action after they were ordered to work three days a week.
Around 4,000 Land Registry staff in 14 offices across the country will be refused certain duties from January 21, a blow to homebuyers and others who rely on the service.
This industrial action is “acts that do not amount to a strike,” meaning that no full-scale strike will take place at this time.
However, backlogs can occur as staff refuse to fill in for absent colleagues or take on extra work outside of their job description and grade.
It’s the latest example of trade union muscle weakening after barons were handed inflation-busting pay rises by the New Labor government within weeks of their election victory.
The militant union behind the action, the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), which represents civil servants, has not ruled out a full-scale strike in the future. Members of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have already voted in favor of a strike following the strike. I was required to spend at least two days a week in the office.
Scotland Yard staff also announced industrial action this week after further calls to return to work.
Meanwhile, PCS members from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government are campaigning for a four-day working week.
Fran Heathcote, new general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union (pictured)
Around 4,000 staff at the Land Registry in 14 offices across the country will be refused certain services from January 21, as it will be a blow to those who depend on the service (formerly based in the office). file image)
Unions claim this will reduce sickness absence and save £20m a year.
Land Registry staff help protect the ownership details of property and land worth £8 trillion.
We hold over 26.5 million titles covering over 89 per cent of the land area of England and Wales.
Anyone who buys or sells land or real estate, including taking out a mortgage, must apply to the organization to register their new title.
Last October, the Cabinet Office announced that civil servants must spend at least 60% of their working time in government buildings or on official duties.
The Land Registry said it had always aligned its expectations with official guidelines. A spokesperson said: “We will continue to closely monitor the impact of this measure and respond as necessary to maintain essential services supporting the property market, such as inspections and registration.” (including expedited shipping), and contacting customers.
PCS director Fran Heathcote said: “Land Registry members are disappointed that the employer has imposed changes to working conditions without prior agreement.”
“We call on management to work together to find a solution that is fair and acceptable to our members.
Land Registry staff help protect property and land ownership details worth £8 trillion (Photo: Croydon office)
“Members must vote every six months to legalize industrial action, and the current obligation starts from 23 December.
However, a press release issued by the union threatened that industrial action would be “indefinitely”.
But William Yearwood, from the Taxpayers’ Alliance campaign group, said: “Taxpayers will be fed up of seeing rednecks throwing toys out of prams over very reasonable demands.”
“An important part of growing up is realizing that sometimes you have to do things you don’t want to do, like go to work. The staff at this organization forget this important fact. It’s embarrassing.
“The head of HM Land Registry should take a firm stance against public servants who refuse to use office space at great expense to the taxpayer.”
Shadow Housing Secretary Kevin Hollinrake said: ‘Being able to work just three days a week in an office is a luxury for many private sector workers and falls below the minimum requirements for many businesses and organisations. It’s a thing,” he said.
“Customers should always come first, and refusing to comply with a reasonable request is especially pertinent given the huge backlog of up to two years in processing applications by the Registry. It’s infuriating.”
“Productivity, efficiency and value for money for the taxpayer should be prioritized and a strike against having to work three days a week in the office is a sign of how much trade unions are against a weak Labor government. It shows you think you have power.”
