Striking cleaners and caterers at EK Foreign Office announce eight more days of walkouts

Andrea Lambrou

17 September 2024 at 11:12 am·1-min read

Union members working for the OCS in the Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office in East Kilbride have announced eight further days’ strike action.

The industrial action by Public Commercial and Services (PCS) cleaners and caterers will take place at Abercrombie House tomorrow (September 18) and Thursday (September 19) in a dispute over pay.

With additional action planned on September 24, 25 and 26, PCS has today announced a further eight days of walkouts on October 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22 and 24.

The union is also demanding an increase to annual leave and the introduction of company sick pay for those who currently have no entitlement to contractual sick pay.

Last week, Foreign Secretary David Lammy MP cancelled a visit to the Hairmyres-based office as the strike was announced.

PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said: “We will continue to support our OCS members working at Abercrombie House until an acceptable resolution is offered.

“Despite our efforts, OCS has not responded to our suggestion of further negotiations in an attempt to resolve the dispute.

'We’re clear: there will be no resolution to the dispute whilst OCS continues to refuse to engage with PCS.”

Pickets will start at Abercrombie House, Eaglesham Road, East Kilbride on Wednesday, September 18 from 7.30am.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office previously told us that these staff members are employed by an external contractor and are not directly employed by the government.

The FCDO added that external contracts referenced are owned by the Government Property Agency "who encourage contractors and the union to cooperate" to resolve the dispute.

Lanarkshire Live has contacted the OCS for comment.

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