Members of the PCS union who work for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government have today kicked off a programme of strike action over plans to close six regional offices.
Staff began picketing MHCLG’s Newcastle base this morning ahead of nine days of industrial action designed to prompt a rethink over the closure programme.
Colleagues at Birmingham, Exeter, Sheffield, Truro and Warrington are also striking for four days this week in protest at the plans.
MHCLG has previously stated that the planned office closures coincide with the expiry of leases at the sites – and insisted that the reorganisation will be accompanied by expansion of its presence in London, Wolverhampton, Darlington, Manchester and Bristol.
In addition to the office closures, PCS has also balloted members across all MHCLG sites on grievances related to office-attendance rules and recruitment location policies. It now has a mandate for strike action at all of the department’s bases.
Union general secretary Fran Heathcote said ministers and departmental leaders needed to take a new approach.
“It’s high time the government and the ministry began to listen to their staff and put an end to these reckless, regressive decisions to close local offices while rigidly enforcing mandatory office attendance,” she said.
“They should start thinking strategically, considering the vital projects that local offices deliver for our communities, and enhancing flexibility to allow staff to choose how and where they perform their jobs in a manner that benefits both them and the communities we serve.”
Staff walkouts at Newcastle are due to continue until 2 May. They will run until 25 April at Birmingham, Exeter, Sheffield, Truro and Warrington.