Civil servants to strike over office closures

Staff at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government previously walked out in April

Civil servants across England have announced they will walk out on strike again over office closures, attendance polices and recruitment strategy.

More than 1,180 members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) will strike on 1 September.

It comes after plans were announced to close offices in Birmingham, Exeter, Newcastle, Sheffield, Truro, and Warrington.

A spokesperson for MHCLG said: "We have engaged and continue to engage extensively with unions and staff to resolve this dispute and do not believe the current action is an appropriate response to the issues raised."

The latest strikes comes more than four months after union members at the MHCLG previously walked out.

The MNCLG spokesperson added: "We will continue to have an office in every English region as well as Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and all staff affected will be able to continue in their roles.

"The approach to office attendance is replicated across the Civil Service and has not changed since early 2024."

The MGCLG's joint-headquarters located in Wolverhampton has not been listed for closure.

The strike on 1 September will be followed by "targeted action" which will see more than 170 staff walk out for four weeks, from 2 to 25 September.

The PCS said all members will also continue to take part in action short of a strike.

'Cancelled meetings'

A spokesperson said the action would send a "firm message" after ministers allegedly cancelled scheduled meetings with the union about the dispute.

The PCS has said its reps are asking for the following:

• Alternatives from the department to retain a presence in the locations due to close while also guaranteeing that those in offices that have closed suffer no net loss of income

• A new recruitment policy to prevent deliberate de-staffing

• Changes to office attendance policies which includes improved flexibility for staff and default remote working for staff who need and request it

• Guarantees staff cannot be disciplined or suffer detriment on the grounds of office attendance

PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said: "Office closures do nothing to serve the department's goal of tackling regional inequalities.

"Ministers will see staff speak with their feet when they return from recess."