Between 28th October and 12th November, I supported the PCS members of the security officers on Strike against G4S.

Their last pay offer was an insulting 32 pence per hour above the national living wage with, hardly, any sick pay. But it did not prevent them from voting by 84% to reject the pay offer, and by 89% for more strike action.

The workers have, already, taken 41 days strike action in their dispute, resulting in jobcentres being closed and a reduced service being offered in others.

In London, I supported numerous amazing picket lines outside the Cabinet Office, South Colonnade Building in Canary Wharf and 10 Victoria Street.

I had to rise at 5.30 am each morning and travel down to the picket lines from Potters Bar in Hertfordshire, before starting work.

The attendance outside the Cabinet Office was enormous and solid with plenty of loud music, blowing of whistles and dancing.

We had support from quite a few Labour MPs including John McDonnell, the Labour MP and former Chair of the PCS Parliamentary Committee who condemned the appalling way that the security officers had been treated by the government according to their pay, terms and conditions, especially their sick pay. He added that the new Labour government has promised in – sourcing and must do so as soon as possible.

At Canary Wharf, the picket lines were well attended. It revealed that the legacy of the camaraderie of the Dockers is alive and well of which is a great inspiration to us all!

Left Unity will continue to support the struggle of all security officers and cleaners in the commercial sector. We encourage them to be active in PCS Union at local, departmental and national level. It is Left Unity’s aim to ensure that all cleaners and security officers are adequately represented in branch, regional, group, and national executive committees.

Let us campaign to improve the pay, terms and conditions of all cleaners and security officers.

An injury to one is an injury to us all in Left Unity as well as PCS!

Solidarity

Austin Harney