Union ‘can’t rule out’ more strikes

Land Registry workers took industrial action over what they claim are Government plans to privatise the service.

The strike had been organised by the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS), and saw more than 150 members of staff join the picket line at its Lytham Road site.

When asked whether further industrial action could take place Sue Ghani, PCS Fylde secretary, said: “Not at the present time although we’re not going to rule it out.

“Hopefully management will talk to us which is the desired outcome.

“A lot of the time people think people strike for fun but it’s a very hard decision to make.

“We believe this is so important and we have been forced into this position.”

Members of the Fire Brigades Union, which is also involved in an ongoing pensions dispute with the Government, were among those to show up to the strike, which took place on Wednesday and Thursday, in support.

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills is officially still considering responses to a consultation into the future of the Land Registry, with options being to move it from the civil service to a Government owned company, into a joint venture with a private company, or maintain its current status.

The union believes the majority of respondents, including professionals and lawyers in the property industry, are opposed to any change of status.

The PCS also claims despite repeated requests, Land Registry bosses have refused to rule out compulsory redundancies and office closures.

The strike saw staff walk out at Land Registry’s other offices - Birkenhead, Coventry, Croydon, Durham, Gloucester, Kingston upon Hull, Leicester, Nottingham, Peterborough, Plymouth, Swansea, Telford and Weymouth.

A spokesperson for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills said: “All options, including the status quo, are still under consideration.

“We will publish the Government response to the public consultation shortly.”