MILIBAND GREETED BY FOREIGN OFFICE STRIKE – Civil servants stage walkout on new Foreign Secretary’s first week in office
Britain’s new Foreign Secretary, Ed Miliband, has been met by industrial action at the Foreign Office, as hundreds of civil servants began the first of three days of strike action over planned workforce reductions.
Members of the Public and Commercial Services Union walked out in protest against proposals to cut jobs, arguing the plans would undermine the department’s ability to deliver Britain’s diplomatic priorities and place additional pressure on remaining staff.
The strike coincides with Mr Miliband’s first week leading the Foreign Office following his appointment by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, creating an immediate challenge as the new government seeks to set out its foreign policy agenda.
Union leaders are calling on ministers to halt the planned cuts and return to negotiations, while the Foreign Office says it has contingency measures in place and remains committed to maintaining essential diplomatic services throughout the industrial action.
