National Highways strike has ‘zero impact’ as less than two per cent of traffic officers and motorway CCTV staff walked out yesterday
- Fewer than 20 out of 1,500 traffic officers and motorway CCTV staff walked out
- The head of the PCS union had warned that up to 125 members could take part
- The number of workers who actually went on strike was less than 2 per cent
Fewer than 20 out of 1,500 traffic officers and motorway CCTV staff went on strike yesterday, making a mockery of union barons’ attempts to cause chaos.
Mark Serwotka, head of the PCS union, ordered the walkout and warned National Highways that up to 125 of his members could take part.
But it is understood only between 15 and 20 traffic officers and control room staff joined the action.
This is less than 2 per cent of the 1,500 or so total National Highways workforce of traffic officers and motorway CCTV staff.
PCS Union picket line in Workington on Tuesday as they carried out industrial action for more pay
January strikes laid out in full across the calendar pages this month from various unions
In some areas, such as the South East, no staff went on strike.
The North West was the worst affected, but a handful of staff based in the South West were redeployed.
A National Highways source said it meant the strike, which lasts 48 hours and ends today (WEDS), had ‘zero impact’ on motorists.
This week Mr Serwotka warned: ‘This strike is likely to cause problems for people returning to work after the Christmas break, and while we regret that, it’s important to remember our action could be called off today if Rishi Sunak put some money on the table for our members.’
It comes after the union failed to cause chaos at airports after it ordered Border Force staff to strike for eight days over the festive period.
Hundreds of Army personnel stepped in to replace them and were praised for speeding up waiting times for arriving passengers.
The PCS has also ordered walkouts of driving instructors and Rural Payments Agency staff.
Advertisement
