Government indicates it will not commit to meaningful talks to resolve civil service strike

Prospect union members are due to be take strike action in almost 40 public sector employers on Wednesday (15 March 2023).

In correspondence received today by the union, Cabinet Office Minister Jeremy Quin MP, has refused to take up its offer to engage in meaningful talks to resolve the dispute.

Mike Clancy, Prospect General Secretary said:
“We wrote to the Minister on 27 February communicating the fact that our members had voted 80% overall for strike action and 92% for action short of strike on an unprecedented turn out of 72%. I offered to clear my diary to enable intensive discussions to take place.

“He did not reply until 9 March- and offered nothing. Not even a meeting. His assertion that he is committed to engage with us and other unions is not borne out by the facts. If he wanted to seek a resolution he would agree to meet.

“I have never in my career experienced such delays and such a cavalier approach, particularly when faced with such an overwhelming vote for industrial action, one that should be a wake up call to officials and ministers.”