Staff pay in CEFAS has fallen behind on average by 10% since Defra was established in June 2001. The department has not provided adequate funding to meet the full costs of pay increases in CEFAS over the past two years, while pay rates in the rest of the department were being harmonised.

Members of Prospect and PCS at CEFAS voted overwhelmingly to support strike action in a ballot.

Geraldine O’Connell, Prospect national secretary, said: "It is ludicrous that we have members working at CEFAS who are contributing to the same strategic objectives in delivering a service for Defra, but who are being paid substantially less for their contribution. Our members wish to send a clear message to management and ministers that CEFAS staff will not accept being discriminated against on pay."

Beth Lamont, PCS negotiations officer, said: "There are staff working in personnel, finance and administration who are doing exactly the same work, in some circumstances in the same location, but who are now earning up to £3,000 less than their peers. There is clearly a case for both fair pay and equal pay."

Notes:

- 66% of Prospect and PCS members who voted backed strike action

- Prospect represents scientific staff while PCS represents administrative and executive staff

- The strike is the first industrial action undertaken by Prospect members within Defra in 21 years.