Whitehall cleaners, security guards and support staff start five-day strike on 4 September

Cleaners, security guards and support staff working for the outsourced contractor ISS will take action from September 4 to 8 after being offered a below-inflation pay rise.   

The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union members are angry to have been offered just a 2.2% rise when inflation is running at 6.8%. 

These almost 100 PCS members at the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero, Department for Business & Trade and Department for Science, Innovation & Technology are also calling for an end to outsourcing and for ISS to formally recognise the union.   

Mark Serwotka, PCS general secretary, said: “It is extremely disappointing that ISS has failed to improve its offer on pay to our hardworking members.  

“Flush with tax-payer money, a private contractor like ISS can afford to pay their board members almost £1 million yet claim they cannot give their cleaners, security guards and support staff a pay rise which keeps up with inflation.  

“Our members will take disruptive strike action until they are offered a fair pay rise that can help them through the current cost-of-living crisis and beyond.” 

Ends 

Notes to editors:  

Picket lines will be in place outside BEIS, 1 Victoria Street, SW1H 0ET from 7am to 9.30am, Monday to Friday.  

A rep will available for interview from the picket lines. If you’d like to speak to this rep, please contact us at press@pcs.org.uk or 07490 977 833 and we can put you in touch.