Employees at the UK’s Valuation Office Agency have voted to take industrial action over pay, expected to create a backlog in survey and valuation work.

The Prospect union’s 900 members, working in 85 offices across the country, are angry at a 1.25% pay increase.

The members will start a ‘non-cooperation’ period on 27 February, banning all out-of-hours coverage and ensuring proper lunch-breaks and regular screen breaks.

The union believes its members have been treated unfairly, saying staff are expected to turn the agency into a world-class service by 2010 on “third-class pay”.

By Louis Makiello