Politics · United Kingdom · 4 hrs ago
Civil servants’ union seeks 10% pay rise and four-day week as strike vote looms
The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), which represents civil servants, is seeking a 10% pay rise and progress towards a four-day week on full pay.
It also wants protection for working from home, more leave and a right for staff to switch off from work.
The union says civil servants have experienced years of falling living standards and argues that shorter working weeks can benefit employers as well as staff.
Critics say taxpayers could pay more while receiving fewer hours of public services.
The government says it wants to recognise civil servants’ work while keeping pay sustainable.
The PCS strike ballot opens on October 20 and closes on December 1.
Strike action can go ahead only if a majority of members who vote support it.
The Public and Commercial Services Union is seeking a 10% pay rise and progress towards a four-day week on full pay for civil servants.
The union also wants protection for working from home, more leave and a right to switch off from work.
The union says staff have faced years of falling living standards and argues that a shorter week can benefit employers as well as employees.
Critics say taxpayers could bear the cost of fewer working hours and worse services.
The union’s strike ballot opens on October 20 and closes on December 1.
- Who
- The Public and Commercial Services Union and civil servants.
- What
- The union is seeking a 10% pay rise, progress towards a four-day week on full pay and other workplace protections. It is holding a strike ballot.
- When
- The ballot opens on October 20 and closes on December 1. The article was published on October 12, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- The union says staff have faced years of falling living standards.
Public and Commercial Services Union
Critics of the union’s demands
Cost and services
Public and Commercial Services Union
The union says a shorter week benefits employers as well as employees.
Critics of the union’s demands
Critics warn taxpayers would pay for fewer hours and worse services.
Four-day week
Public and Commercial Services Union
The union seeks progress towards a four-day week on full pay.
Critics of the union’s demands
The TaxPayers’ Alliance called the idea “grift,” while former Local Government Secretary Steve Reed described it as “full-time pay for part-time work.
The PCS strike ballot opens.
Voting in the PCS strike ballot closes.
- Pay rise sought
- 10%
- Union
- Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS)
- Ballot opens
- October 20
- Ballot closes
- December 1
- Strike-action threshold
- A majority of members must back action before a strike can go ahead.
What people are saying
grift
full-time pay for part-time work
Discussions will continue with Civil Service unions, including PCS, as part of departments’ ongoing engagement.
Sources
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