Activate: Groundbreaking FM offers testify to power of workplace organising

The settlement, which members voted to accept in ballots in June, significantly increases pay and improves key terms and conditions, including the implementation of company sick pay from day one of absence, an increase in annual leave, full maternity and paternity pay, and paid bereavement leave.

Our members are employed by outsourcing giants OCS, G4S and ISS on the Government Property Agency contract. Determined to stick to their guns and fight for a decent deal they took strike action over an extended period and held some of the busiest, most vibrant picket lines PCS has ever seen.

Earlier this year, PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote initiated a new three-fold process covering dispute resolution, coherence, and insourcing. This led to a national funding package being secured to settle the disputes – the first of its kind for outsourced FM contracts in the civil service.

This will now unlock talks with government on our national objectives of coherence and insourcing, to secure future improvements for FM members.

Rep Eddie said he was “immensely proud” that standing together had improved their working lives.

“We have been fighting for better pay that supports us in a cost-of-living crisis and for improvements that lift many above the statutory minimums they were forced onto.

“We stood united and determined to win the improvements we so desperately needed and deserved.”

Eric and Lynda, who work on OCS contracts, also told PCS recently that, despite months of cold and wet picket lines, the “weather didn’t dampen our spirits or determination to carry on until we won.”

They say that this settlement will “positively impact on us” and state proudly that “we are proud union members.”

“We, along with our colleagues, will benefit from more annual leave, affording us a better work-life balance. Some of our colleagues will receive company sick pay for the first time ever, allowing them to recuperate without facing financial hardship.”