A pay strike by workers at the Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency caused "significant disruption" today, leading to the closure of local offices and a restricted service in those remaining open.
The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union said 80% of staff at the headquarters in Swansea stayed away from work, while a number of offices were closed, including those at Birmingham, Nottingham, Chester, Bangor, Leeds and Brighton.
The 24-hour strike was in protest at below inflation pay offers and claims of widening pay gaps between the predominantly female staffed DVLA and the predominantly male Department for Transport (DfT) and related agencies.
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "The people on strike today have sent a clear message that they want to see an end to pay inequality and low pay.
"It is completely unacceptable that the DfT should go the lengths it has to avoid its gender duty obligations and that the Government should add insult to injury with below inflation pay.
"With pay gaps of over £2,500 and starting salaries just over £12,500, the department and the government need to face up to the culture of pay inequality and low pay that they have created and pay a fair and just wage to its own workforce."
