PCS members vote for strike action over FCDO restructure
The ballot was in response to restructuring plans, a failure to meaningfully consult with unions, and the refusal to guarantee no compulsory redundancies.
In the industrial action ballot which closed yesterday (22), 77.95% of members who voted said yes to strike action and yes to action short of a strike (96.95%). Turnout was over the 50% threshold legally required.
PCS members in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) have sent a clear message of opposition to a mismanaged and chaotic process that a recent PCS survey found has negatively impacted the wellbeing of 86% of staff.
The ballot result allows for the option of industrial action if our demands in relation to job cuts and the restructure are not met.
We need a guarantee that all jobs at Stage 3 of the process will be offered for internal applicants only in the first instance, and we are demanding a no compulsory redundancy agreement. We are also calling for a review of matching decisions, with the aim of addressing inconsistencies across directorates and to make sure equality requirements are upheld. All grievances regarding Stage 1 of the restructure must be investigated.
PCS General Secretary Fran Heathcote said: "This is a clear and overwhelming message from FCDO staff. Every member who took part in this ballot and helped deliver such a strong result should feel proud of their determination to defend jobs, challenge unfairness and stand up for their colleagues.
"They will not stand by while jobs are cut, compulsory redundancies remain on the table and serious concerns about the fairness of this restructure go unanswered. There is still time for the department to listen to its workforce, pause this flawed process and engage meaningfully with PCS.”
The PCS FCDO branch executive committee is meeting today (23) to agree next steps in the campaign and is writing to Nick Dyer, FCDO's interim permanent under secretary, to request an urgent meeting to discuss our key demands.
If senior leadership is not prepared to make concessions, we will take steps to plan our industrial action strategy, which is likely to include action short of strike and strike action. A members’ meeting will be held on 24 June.