PCS, the civil service union, is gearing up its campaign to strike again this year over being told to turn up to work by the government. Union officials were handing out flashy leaflets to staff at 2 Marsham Street (housing the Home Office and DLUHC) this week. The PCS says its “sustained, targeted” strikes have worked before and will work again to “exert maximum pressure” on the government. With the number of civil servants constantly moaning about having to turn up to the office three days per week, the campaign could get traction…

The union’s pay demands are as follows:

• A cost-of-living rise, with an inflation-proofed increase plus pay restoration.
• Pay equality across departments.
• A living wage of £15 per hour.
• London weighting provision of a minimum £5,000 per year.
• 35 days annual leave minimum.
• A significant shortening of the working week with no loss of pay.

On that last point a bemused and overworked SpAd tells Guido: “Wouldn’t we all”…