BEIS Dispute Escalates As Dept Finds Brexit £10 Million

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• BEIS Dispute Escalates As Dept Finds Brexit £10 Million

29 August 2019 | Updated 06 September 2019

More PCS members working for outsourcing companies at the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy are to take action from this week, joining colleagues who are on indefinite strike.

Members working in catering for Aramark and cleaning for ISS have been on indefinite industrial action since July 15.

Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) members are now upping the pressure by embarking on a programme of escalated industrial action for the months of September, October and early November.

From Monday September 2, members who work for ISS in security, post room, porterage and reception, will begin a two week period of industrial action up to September 13.

Following on from that, starting from 30 September, the same staff will embark on a programme of rolling industrial action on a 5 days on 5 days off basis, to run until  November 1. The weeks of action are September 30 to October 4, October 14-18 and October 28 to November 1.

Picket line swells

The picket lines that have been active at 1 Victoria Street, London since July 15 will see the cleaners and catering staff joined by BEIS' porters and reception, security and postroom staff.

John Lennon

A series of strike at Liverpool’s John Lennon airport have been cancelled after GMB members accepted a last ditch offer.

The airport was bracing itself for a summer of disruption after 200 members working on the Swissport Easy Jet contract and Swissport Mainline voted for industrial action.

On the eve of the first strike, Swissport made a new offer addressing the health and safety issues and working practices, which has now been accepted by both groups of members.

Grants

On August 29, Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom spoke at 1 Victoria Street as she unveiled a £10 million grant to support businesses across the UK in understanding the steps they should now take to be ready for Brexit on 31 October 2019.

The Business Readiness Fund is open to business organisations and trade associations throughout the UK and will support events, training and the production of advice packs. Activities funded by the grants must be open to both members and non-members and to businesses large and small preparing.

Applications for grants will be accepted up to Monday September 30 and administered through a dedicated website, (which was to be launched on August 29 - but like Brexit, had not been delivered).

Funding will have to be used on activities to be completed ahead of October.

Leadsom said: "The UK will be leaving the EU on 31 October. For businesses that still feel unprepared, I am determined to do everything I possibly can to ensure they are fully ready for Brexit."

Picture: Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom spoke at 1 Victoria Street as she unveiled a £10 million grant to support businesses across the UK in understanding the steps they should now take to be ready for Brexit on 31 October 2019.​

Article written by Brian Shillibeer | Published 29 August 2019

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