Cleaners, security guards and other key workers at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero have voted to accept an improved pay offer.
Dozens of workers who are employed by outsourcing giant ISS will receive a 4.125% rise and gain the same entitlements for holidays and sick pay as their insourced colleagues, the union said.
PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said: “This significant win wouldn’t have occurred without the threat of sustained strike action from a group of members prepared to stand up for themselves.”
Heathcote added: “While we welcome the win and the move to parity on leave, we demand the government goes further and brings all outsourced workers back in-house on the same terms and conditions as their colleagues.”
Last week, PCS called off strikes at the department, saying intensive talks with management and the government had resulted in improved offers and that it felt there was “room to potentially negotiate a final deal”.
Around 60 PCS members had been due to walk out last week before the breakthrough in talks.
PCS had sought a pay increase to £17 an hour, plus improved in terms and conditions that would "move towards alignment" with those of civil servants employed by DESNZ.
A spokesperson for ISS UK&I said: “We are pleased to confirm a constructive resolution has been reached. We look forward to continuing to deliver vital services to the department’s staff and visitors.”