Members of the PCS union are initiating work-to-rule action at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in response to proposed office closures and strict attendance requirements. The union highlights that staff frustration centers around a ban on working from home, which contrasts with Labour's proposed flexible working reforms. Union leaders accuse the department of lacking consultation and fair process regarding the changes. While the Ministry defends plans to adjust office locations, criticism arises over the perceived disregard for employee concerns and the potential negative impact of these decisions.
From removing staff from an office before the lease expires to spuriously challenging lawful notices of industrial action, the employer seems intent to avoid proper consultation, disregard fair process and alienate its staff.
Closing local offices while rigidly enforcing mandatory office attendance doesn’t make sense. The way out of this dispute is to negotiate, not frustrate.
We have engaged with unions and staff about a number of proposals - including plans to expand four offices outside of London and close six offices over the next two years, as leases come to an end.
It speaks volumes that some civil servants are walking out not over pay, but because they're being asked to show up to work and make better use of public buildings.
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