OCS Security (PCS) Strike Calendar

A planned restructure by an employer threatens the jobs, terms, and conditions of security guards working at a National Crime Agency site due for closure. The employer has failed to consult details or options with the affected staff, who face redundancy or must apply for alternative roles under worse conditions. Additionally, the employer has refused voluntary union recognition, prompting a formal application for statutory recognition.

In response, union members voted unanimously in favor of strike action, with two days of strikes scheduled for August 2026 if demands remain unmet. Supporters are being urged to contact their members of parliament to highlight concerns about cost-cutting in outsourced contracts and the potential security risks of replacing highly experienced security guards.

The closure of the National Crime Agency facility at Spring Gardens, Vauxhall, has put outsourced security workers at risk of redundancy or having to accept inferior terms for new roles. These new contracts lose key protections, including reduced sick pay, less annual leave, and a transition to hourly pay. In response, security officers facing these threats will vote on industrial action in a ballot running from 21 July to 4 August.

The company managing the contract has refused to voluntarily recognize the representing union for collective bargaining or consult with them about the proposed changes. Highly experienced guards are being replaced due to outsourcing and cost-cutting, leading to calls for the public to write to their members of parliament. This situation highlights the ongoing issues associated with the outsourcing of public services.

PCS members at Abercrombie House in East Kilbride will take strike action tomorrow and Thursday (18/19 September) in a dispute over pay. With additional action planned on 24, 25 and 26 September, now PCS has announced further eight days of walkouts on 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22 and 24 October.

PCS 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.

• Security officers employed by OCS in 149 courts across England and Wales will start a four-day strike over pay tomorrow (22).
• The strike action has been called following the company’s latest pay offer which is only 38p above the national minimum wage.
• Some courts have already announced they will be closed tomorrow, with more expected to follow suit as staff fail to turn up for work on 22, 25, 27 and 29 September.