ISS strike suspended after improved pay offer from employer

PCS members working as cleaners, security guards and other facilities roles at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), but employed by outsourcing giant ISS, have suspended five days of strike action due to start on Monday 22 July.

The dispute centred on pay and terms and conditions, which are lower than those of the civil servants who they work alongside in the government building. Members on these outsourced contracts are disproportionately likely to be from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds.

After intensive talks with management and the government resulted in improved offers, PCS feels there is room to potentially negotiate a final deal.

PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said: “While we’re pleased to have received an improved offer from the employer, the government must deliver its pre-election promise of bringing about the biggest wave of insourcing of public services in a generation.

“They should start by bringing this ISS contract in-house and ending the two-tier workforce."