23 March 2022

British Council strike and online rally

The two day strike over cuts will be marked by an online rally on the first day of strike action on 24 March.

PCS met with British Council senior management, following the refusal of the CEO to meet with us. There was no movement on their position: they cannot provide guarantees on no compulsory redundancies or future outsourcing of work. No justification was provided for not providing the business case that they have agreed with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

This leaves PCS members with no option but to take strike action on 24 and 25 March, followed by discontinuous action short of strike action. Members are striking to demand:

  • A fair, open and transparent approach and process for transformation. And for management to share the full picture and business case with staff.
  • No forced redundancies – only those who want to leave to go on voluntary terms.
  • No privatisation/outsourcing of jobs – keep the work in-house for a better service for the public and better conditions for staff.

Support

PCS representatives met with John Baron MP, Chair of the British Council All Party Parliamentary Group, on 22 March to highlight the plight of the members. He recently spoke in parliament in support of the work of the British Council and will continue to call on the government to better fund the organisation.

For details of how to join the zoom rally at 2pm today, email psg@pcs.org.uk

You can support the strikers by visiting the picket lines at:

  • 1 Redman Pl, London E20 1JQ
  • 58 Whitworth St, Manchester M1 6BB
  • 2-4 Waterloo Pl, Edinburgh EH1 3EG
  • The Boat, 49 Queen's Square, Belfast BT1 3FG
  • 1 Kingsway, Cardiff CF10 3AQ

You can also show your support by: