Strike dates: Government workers to walk out for 36 days

Around 100 workers at the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero, the Department for Business & Trade, and the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology are set to take strike action from November 1. In total, cleaners, security guards and support staff at the government department will walk out for 36 days.

The first batch of strike dates will begin from November 1 and end on November 17. Staff will then walk out again from November 27 to December 15.

The strikes are part of an ongoing dispute over pay. The staff, employed by outsourcing firm ISS have been given a below-inflation pay offer of 2.2 per cent. Staff at the departments have already taken strike action in September and October.

Speaking on the announcement, PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “The escalation of this dispute is because of the employer’s refusal to offer our members an improved deal.

“Since the dispute started there has been no movement from the employer, no formal pay talks, which, for our members, is unacceptable.

“We will not sit back and allow employers treat our members like this during a cost-of-living crisis.”

Image credit: StaticGirl – Creative Commons