Security guards in Westminster call of strike after sacked staff member reinstated

A planned strike by security guards at the Palace of Westminster in a dispute over rest breaks and staffing issues has been called off after a sacked staff member was reinstated.

Members of the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) were due to walk out for 24 hours from 6am on Wednesday.

A UK Parliament spokesman had said 24 events had been rescheduled or cancelled because of the industrial action.

The dispute centred around rest breaks, settlements for longstanding personal cases and the reinstatement of a sacked union member.

On Tuesday, the union said it had succeeded in having a sacked member of staff reinstated.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "This is a significant victory for our security guards.

"It proves that strong trade union organisation and negotiation brings results."

A UK Parliament spokesman said: "While there has been no final agreement made, we continue to engage constructively with the union.