New strike dates announced for G4S members in jobcentres
The members will walk out for more dates in October and November in their long-running dispute over pay.
The PCS members, employed by G4S as security guards in jobcentres, recently voted overwhelmingly to reject the pay offer made by G4S and to take further strike action.
The pay offer made was just 32p per hour above the national living wage. Members voted by 84% to reject the pay offer and by 89% for more strike action.
The workers have already taken 41 days' strike action in their dispute, resulting in jobcentres being closed and a reduced service being offered in others.
The new strike dates are from 1pm on 18 October to 11:59pm on 20 October, 1pm to 11.59pm on 21 October, from 1pm on 25 October to 11:59pm on 27th, 1pm to 11:59pm on 28 October and 1pm on 1 November to 11:59pm on 3 November, 1pm to 11:59pm on 4 November, 1pm on 8 November to 11.59pm on 10 November and 1pm to 11:59pm on 11 November.
PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said: “This ballot shows just how strongly our members feel about their pay.
“They take risks every day to protect DWP staff and claimants while G4S makes millions risk-free from the taxpayer.
“G4S can stop this strike if they do the decent thing and give our members a fair pay rise. Meanwhile the government and the DWP should do the decent thing and bring the work in-house.”