Parliament's security staff striking tomorrow

Up to 300 security staff at the Houses of Parliament in the PCS union will strike on 14 May over imposed shift patterns.

The workers, employed by the Metropolitan Police, accepted two years ago that shifts had to change. But during protracted talks senior Met officials repeatedly moved the goalposts when the union presented a series of proposals.

Now the Met is imposing its own roster today (13th) despite 95% of the security guards boycotting a ballot on whether to accept it because of the risks it poses to their health and wellbeing.

The latest alternative drawn up by staff would mean a longer run of night shifts but with more days off in between, while being fully compliant with European working time and health and safety regulations.

In light of the Met's refusal to re-enter talks, 74% of the union's members voted for a strike and 91.5% voted for other forms of industrial action, on a 44% turnout.

The walkout, from 6am Tuesday 14th to 6am Wednesday 15th, will be followed by a three-day work to rule and overtime ban.

From a PCS press release

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