Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman workers ballot for strike action over pay and hybrid working

Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union members dealing with complaints about government bodies and the NHS are being balloted for strike action over pay and hybrid working.

The ballot, which closes on January 22, includes more than 200 Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman employees in Manchester and London.

They are unhappy at PHSO’s refusal to give them a 5% pay rise and at being ordered to come into the office for two days a week.

They are also concerned at proposals that could see extra responsibilities delegated to more junior staff without any extra pay.

PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said: “The 40% office attendance instruction is yet another arbitrary figure plucked from the air.

“Our members work very hard, and the employer has provided no evidence that forcing them into the office will make them more productive than they already are.

“They’re also angry that, despite pay having fallen in real terms for more than 15 years, managers say they can’t afford the 5% pay rise given to other government departments.

“A strike is likely to lead to large backlogs of complaints against government bodies and the NHS. If the employer wants to avoid this, they can work with us to address our members’ issues.”

PCS members working at the Office of National Statistics have voted for strike action over compulsory office attendance and those working for the Metropolitan Police are currently balloting for strike action over returning to the office.

Members at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs are campaigning for a four-day week after research showed it could deliver £20m+ savings a year. Members at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government are also campaigning for a four-day week.

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