The PCS (civil service union) are back at it, cooking up fresh excuses for their no-longer-world-leading civil servants to strike. Members over at the Office for National Statistics are being balloted on continuing their protest against the horror of working in an office three days a week, and now civil servants at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has launched a strike ballot today. Over moving offices…
The Government announced plans last year for MHCLG to close six regional offices, and instead expand offices in five current locations, including in London, Manchester and Bristol. The PCS, which has 1,100 members at the department, say the “harmful” policy leaves staff with an “uncertain future”. They’re also complaining about recruitment policies and having to grace their desks 60% of the week – something the PCS says has caused “widespread frustration” among staff. The PCS also pointedly noted the fact that Angela Rayner is supposed to be the ‘face’ of making ‘work pay’ with her Employments’ Rights Bill as they prepare to vote on the walkout. Careful what you wish for…
Sarah Pochin at Reform Scotland’s manifesto launch event: “I really wanted to come on in a Reform tartan burka, but apparently I wasn’t allowed… One day let’s do one of these events not live-streamed. We’ll do all the naughty stuff…”