House of Commons security guards balloted for strike action
Security guards at the House of Commons are to be balloted for strike action in a dispute over shift patterns. According to the PCS union – which represents the workers – security guards were asked to work extra night shift to cover for a lack of staff.
More than 250 PCS members working across the Palace of Westminster estate will be balloted from September 25 to October 9. The union says that a strike would result in restricted access to the House of Parliament, resulting in long queues for MPs, staff and visitors.
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “Our members are angry at being made to pay the price for management’s failure to adequately retain and recruit staff.
“They are reporting increased levels of stress which, in turn, is leading to a rise in sick leave and putting further pressure on those reporting for duty.
“We call on management to withdraw the new roster, give our members a proper work/life balance and recruit sufficient staff to cover all vacancies.”
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Image credit: Alex Drop – Creative Commons
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