First day of Met Police strike receives widespread support
From the picket line to an online rally, to messages of support from our parliamentary group and media coverage, the members have received great support today.
Over 300 PCS members, working as civilian staff for the Metropolitan Police, have today (4) taken their first day of a two-week strike.
The dispute is over a forced return to the office, which goes against a previously agreed Blended Working Framework drawn up in 2021.
Management have refused to negotiate with PCS and when members voted to take action short of a strike, refusing to comply with the new hybrid working model, management threatened to dock the wages of its staff for continuing to work at home.
PCS members were therefore forced to take strike action which started today and ends on 17 February.
Members were out on the picket line outside Marlowe House, opposite Sidcup train station this morning and picket lines will continue on 5 February from 7-10am and on 6, 11, 12 and 13 February.
The strike received extensive coverage in the national press and Anna Bruce-Hou, PCS branch secretary, was interviewed on Radio 4.
At a solidarity rally at lunchtime today with striking PCS Met Police members, John McDonnell MP and chair of PCS’s parliamentary group, reported that the group is shocked at management’s stance, calling them “neanderthal”. He reported that the group has written to the Commissioner over the Met’s bullying of PCS members.
PCS national president Martin Cavanagh addressed the rally and said the evidence produced by the Met to support its edict that members are to return to offices may as well be thrown in the bin because that is where it belongs.
The rally was joined by Emma Campbell and Ed Bartlett, PCS members from the Office of National Statistics, who told the strikers that ONS members are fully behind the action being taken. ONS members are also in dispute with their employer about a return to offices.
Donations have started to pour into PCS’s fighting fund, from non-striking PCS members who want to support the fight against 60% mandated office attendance, an issue affecting many across PCS. You can make a donation online.
Please use our quick form to email the London mayor to ask him to intervene and work with the Home Secretary to find a resolution for our members.