Civil servants strike over office closures

Civil servants in Sheffield have taken to the picket line in a dispute over "reckless" plans to close offices while enforcing attendance rules.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) staff across the country are demanding offices stay open, with the option of more flexibility over working from home.

Caitlin Wilkinson of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) Union said: "People are worried about losing the office community and having to either move, face a long commute or be isolated at home."

The MHCLG said it would keep an office open in every English region as well as Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland but could not pause the closures.

A spokesperson said the ministry had "engaged with unions and staff" about expanding five offices outside of London and closing six centres over the next two years.

The PCS Union is demanding that an office remains in each of the locations facing closure, that the rule compelling staff to spend three days a week in the office is scrapped, and that a location-neutral recruitment strategy remains in place.

Fran Heathcote, PCS General Secretary, said closing offices while maintaining attendance rules was "reckless and regressive".

She said: "They should start thinking strategically, considering the vital projects that local offices deliver for our communities, and enhancing flexibility to allow staff to choose how and where they perform their jobs in a manner that benefits both them and the communities we serve."

More than 50 people working at the Sheffield office will be affected by its closure.

At the picket line at St Paul's Place on Wednesday, Ms Wilkinson said: "Staff would either have to commute to neighbouring cities or work from home permanently [if the office shuts], which not everybody is able to do.

"There are changes happening to recruitment strategy that people feel will shut them out of opportunities.

"People haven't been consulted with, so our members are really worried."

Members based in Newcastle plan to walk out until May 2, while those working in Sheffield, Birmingham, Exeter, Truro and Warrington will strike for four days.

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