JobCentre security guards announce new 16-day strike

PCS members to take action after rejecting G4S pay offer

JobCentre security guards are to take 16 more days’ strike action after overwhelmingly rejecting a pay offer from employer G4S.

The more than 650 Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union members working at the Department for Work and Pensions were offered £11.76 per hour – just 32p above the National Living Wage.

They voted by 84% to reject the offer and by 89% for more strike action to take place in four blocks of four days – from October 18-21 and 25-28, plus November 1-4 and 8-11.

The workers have already taken 41 days’ strike action.

PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said: “This ballot shows just how strongly our members feel about their pay.

“They take risks every day to protect DWP staff and claimants while G4S makes millions risk-free from the taxpayer.

“G4S can stop this strike if they do the decent thing and give our members a fair pay rise. Meanwhile the government and the DWP should do the decent thing and bring the work in-house.”

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