Disclosure and Barring Service workers ballot for strike action

Staff working for the Disclosure and Barring Service are to be balloted for strike action.

The more than 50 Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union members, who help customers with email queries about the progress of their DBS checks, are worried at plans for them to take complaints from telephone callers.

Members believe the controversial new system is being introduced partly due to the failure of HGS, the firm outsourced to do the work, to fulfil its contract.

PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said: “Our members at DBS have raised concerns about operating a new telephony system which, in isolation, can’t offer the customers the resolutions they seek, but those concerns have been ignored by the employer.

“Our members are already stretched in capacity, with sickness levels rising due to the stress and anxiety of the proposals.

“An increased workload means the team will struggle to maintain the level of service they deliver currently, and the employer has failed to provide any evidence about how the new proposals will be of any benefit to the customer or the staff.”

The ballot begins on October 28 and could result in strike action starting as early as December and running into next year, causing significant delays in people being checked.

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