Politics · United Kingdom · 8 hrs ago
PCS union plans vote on strike action over pay and four-day week
The Public and Commercial Services union, known as PCS, plans to start a vote on industrial action among its members on October 20.
The union is seeking a 10% pay rise and progress towards a four-day working week without a cut in pay.
A four-day week can mean compressing five days of hours into four, or working fewer hours for the same pay.
The vote concerns civil servants in the UK and their pay and working conditions.
The government says it wants to recognise civil servants’ work while keeping public sector pay sustainable.
A strike is not certain: at least half of PCS members must vote, and a majority of those voting must support action.
The government says discussions with civil service unions, including PCS, will continue.
The Public and Commercial Services union will begin a vote on industrial action on October 20 over pay and working conditions.
The union’s demands include progress towards a four-day working week with no loss of pay.
Civil servants have also been reported as seeking a 10% pay rise.
The PCS says evidence of the economic and social benefits of a four-day week is growing more convincing.
Critics say a four-day week on full pay could waste taxpayers’ money and worsen public services.
- Who
- The Public and Commercial Services union and its members.
- What
- The union will hold a vote on industrial action over pay and conditions, including progress towards a four-day week with no loss of pay.
- When
- The vote is due to begin on October 20, 2026.
- Where
- The United Kingdom.
- Why
- The union is seeking changes to pay and working conditions, including a four-day week with no loss of pay.
PCS union
Critics of a four-day week on full pay
Four-day week
PCS union
The PCS says evidence of its economic and social benefits is growing more convincing.
Critics of a four-day week on full pay
Critics say it would mean fewer hours for full pay and could worsen services.
Industrial action
PCS union
The PCS plans a vote on industrial action over pay and conditions.
Critics of a four-day week on full pay
Mike Wood called on ministers to stand firm against strike action.
Angela Rayner removed a requirement that at least 40% of the total workforce vote for industrial action.
AOL.co.uk published its report on the planned PCS vote.
The PCS is due to launch its vote on industrial action.
- Union
- Public and Commercial Services (PCS)
- Vote begins
- October 20, 2026
- Pay demand
- 10% rise
- Working week demand
- Progress towards four days with no loss of pay
- Voting threshold
- At least half of PCS members must vote, with a majority of those voting in favour for the proposed strikes to proceed.
What people are saying
Taxpayers' money should not be wasted on this.
The four-day week is a grift pushed by special interests that would leave hard-working taxpayers paying full price for fewer hours and worse services.
The evidence about the economic and social benefits of a four-day week grows ever more convincing.
The Government is committed to recognising the hard work of civil servants, while ensuring public sector pay remains sustainable.
Sources
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