FCDO members deliver strong mandate for industrial action over FCDO2030 restructure

PCS members in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action in response to the department's controversial FCDO2030 restructuring programme.

The ballot, which closed on 22 June 2026, achieved a 52.77% turnout, comfortably clearing the legal threshold for industrial action. 

An emphatic 77.95% of members voted for strike action, while an overwhelming 96.95% backed action short of a strike, giving PCS a powerful mandate to escalate its campaign against job cuts, concerns over the implementation of the restructure and the absence of guarantees against compulsory redundancies.

The ballot result means PCS is now legally able to call industrial action across the FCDO.

PCS members are demanding:

  • All Stage 3 posts be reserved for internal applicants only;
  • A binding No Compulsory Redundancy Agreement;
  • A review of matching decisions across the department;
  • Urgent discussions on inconsistencies between Directorates;
  • Assurance that equality impacts and potential discriminatory outcomes have been fully assessed and mitigated.
The ballot was triggered by the department's failure to engage in meaningful consultation with PCS and other trade unions, alongside its refusal to rule out compulsory redundancies as part of the restructuring process.
 
The union is calling on the FCDO to pause the restructure, engage seriously with staff concerns and agree a No Compulsory Redundancy Agreement before the dispute escalates further.
 
PCS will also write to Nick Dyer, Permanent Under-Secretary at the FCDO, seeking an urgent meeting to discuss members' concerns and the union's key demands. The union believes there remains an opportunity to resolve the dispute through meaningful dialogue and is calling on senior leadership to engage directly with PCS Union representatives.
 
PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said:
 
"This is a clear and overwhelming message from FCDO staff. Every member who took part in this ballot and helped deliver such a strong result should feel proud of their determination to defend jobs, challenge unfairness and stand up for their colleagues.
 
"They will not stand by while jobs are cut, compulsory redundancies remain on the table and serious concerns about the fairness of this restructure go unanswered. There is still time for the department to listen to its workforce, pause this flawed process and engage meaningfully with PCS.”
 
END

Notes to Editors
  • The industrial action ballot of PCS members in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) closed on 22 June 2026.
  • Turnout in the ballot was 52.77%, 77.95% of members voted in favour of strike action and 96.95% of members voted in favour of action short of a strike.
  • ASOS: Action short of a strike (ASOS) may include working strictly to contractual duties and hours, taking all entitled breaks, and declining to undertake voluntary additional work beyond contractual obligations.
  • PCS is seeking a No Compulsory Redundancy Agreement, a review of matching decisions, and further discussions regarding the implementation and equality impacts of the FCDO2030 restructuring programme.

Further background information on the dispute is available here: https://www.pcs.org.uk/contact-us/press-media-contacts/fcdo-staff-ballot-over-job-cuts-risking-crisis-response