Further strike dates announced in Facilities Management disputes

PCS has served notice of extra strike dates in the dispute involving facilities management staff employed by OCS and G4S.

PCS members employed by OCS as caterers and cleaners and employed by G4S as security officers at the FCDO at Abercrombie House in East Kilbride are set to strike for the month of December until 3 January.

PCS members employed by G4S as security officers, receptionists and pass office staff at a number of workplaces in London including Cabinet Office, Department for Business and Trade, the Canary Wharf Hub and Department for Science, Innovation and Technology will take five more days of strike action in November (25 to 29) and a further five days in December (9 to 13).

The strike dates signal a significant escalation to the ongoing disputes in relation to pay, terms and conditions. OCS members have been taking strike action since September and the G4S members have taken two weeks of strike action in October and November.

Both G4S and OCS have failed to table an acceptable pay offer which lifts members out of poverty and improves their working lives by improving terms and conditions, including the introduction of company sick pay and an increase in annual leave.

PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said: “Our members employed by both G4S and OCS on the Government Property Agency Estate are showing strength and determination to win their fight for the pay, terms and conditions they deserve.

“We are clear that the ministers have a role to play in delivering the improvements we are seeking to improve the working lives of our members in line with the commitments made under the Make Work Pay agenda. We call on the ministers to intervene and support a resolution to the dispute.

“We further call on G4S and OCS to act to engage in meaningful dispute resolution negotiations to avoid significant disruption.’’

There will be picket lines at Abercrombie House in East Kilbride and across Whitehall. Details will be published shortly.