Civil servants, represented by the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), will commence indefinite industrial action due to government plans to close six offices and enforce strict in-office attendance. This comes after previous strikes by PCS members in April and May. The government claims closures result from expiring leases, while unions argue these decisions alienate staff. Issues of pay, with proposed caps on increases at 3.75%, add to tensions. Criticism has emerged from officials like Alex Burghart, suggesting civil servants should be treated like other employees expected to commute to workplaces, not exempted from standard obligations.
The way out of this dispute is to negotiate, not frustrate.
Closing local offices while rigidly enforcing mandatory office attendance doesn't make sense.
It speaks volumes that some civil servants are walking out not over pay, but because they're being asked to show up to work.
From removing staff from an office before the lease expires to spuriously challenging lawful notices of industrial action, the employer seems intent to avoid proper consultation.
Collection
[
|
...
]