Foreign Office cleaners and caterers vote for strike action over pay

Cleaners and caterers working at the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office for private contractor OCS have voted overwhelmingly for strike action over pay.

The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union members voted by 100% to reject a pay offer that would have given most of them no more than the Living Wage Foundation’s living wage of £12 per hour.

They are also angry at OCS’s refusal to give them the same sick pay and annual leave as workers directly employed by the FCDO.

PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said: “The results of a PCS cost of living survey were presented to OCS which demonstrate the financial pressures our members are under.

“Over 50% reported having to skip a meal or not being able to afford to put the heating on in the colder months and 67% said they had come into work when unwell because they can’t afford to take time off to recuperate. This level of financial hardship in a civilised society is completely unacceptable.

“Our members have sent a clear message to OCS that they must act now to make an improved offer or face disruptive strike action. This strike action will be a powerful reminder of how fundamental our members are to keeping the FCDO running. The FCDO must now consider insourcing the contract in line with the policy of the new government.”

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