On 1 February, land registry workers across the UK are set to go on strike in protest of a proposed pay freeze. The action is being taken by the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), who are representing the workers.
The PCS has argued that the proposed pay freeze would be unfair to their members, who have already seen their wages stagnate in recent years. The union has also pointed out that the pay freeze would disproportionately affect lower-paid workers, who are already struggling to make ends meet.
The strike is expected to cause disruption to the land registry service, which is responsible for registering and maintaining records of land ownership in England and Wales. This could have a significant impact on the property market, as buyers and sellers will be unable to complete transactions without the necessary paperwork.
The government has responded to the strike by stating that it is disappointed by the PCS’s decision to take action. It has also argued that the proposed pay freeze is necessary in order to keep public sector wages in line with inflation.
It remains to be seen whether the strike will be successful in achieving its aims. However, it is clear that the action taken by the PCS is a sign of the growing discontent among public sector workers over their pay and working conditions.
It is hoped that both sides can come to an agreement that is fair for both workers and taxpayers. Until then, the disruption caused by the strike could have a significant impact on the property market and those involved in it.