G4S strikers say ‘privatisation has to stop’
PCS union members are demanding an end to poverty pay
Confidence on the G4S strike picket line on Whitehall (Picture: Guy Smallman)
By Judy Cox
Friday 08 November 2024
SOCIALIST WORKER
Striking security workers were dancing in defiance on Whitehall on Thursday during the second week of their two-week strike.
The PCS union members, who are outsourced to multinational G4S, work at government departments in central London.
They are fighting for the same pay and conditions as workers who are directly-employed by the civil service.
One of the strikers told Socialist Worker, “The companies’ last offer was 5p more—not exactly tempting. It was an insult. They are making big profits.
“They outsourced our jobs to the company that would do it on the cheap. That means less pay, less sick pay, less paternity and maternity pay for us. People’s taxes go into making profits for this company.”
Strikers’ whistles, music and spirit of solidarity have livened up the streets of Whitehall for the last two weeks.
The worker said, “Now Labour is in, but it has cut student grants and fuel allowances for pensioners. Money gets invested, but it’s going to shareholders not to the workforce. Privatisation just has to stop.
“They subcontract out the jobs to companies who exploit vulnerable people, like students who need to work for cash in hand. We want to be respected, but we are just numbers to them.”
Striker Mohammed told Socialist Worker, “We are striking for a better pay deal and better terms and conditions.
“At the moment, there are staff who are only entitled to statutory sick leave which is not enough. Everyone should have basic sick pay for 20 days a year.”
He added, “Our strike is solid. We don’t just do chanting—we play music and dance. We want to show that our spirit isn’t easy to break. A big favourite is Bob Marley’s ‘Stand up for your rights’ and a really old one, ‘You can’t touch me, I’m part of the union’.
“People come from our PCS union and they give speeches and give us support and keep us informed. We are a very multicultural workforce—we are Asian, African, European and English and we are showing unity and solidarity. We believe in what we are doing.”
The strike has boosted workers’ confidence to stand up to the bosses. “If one person stands up, they can be victimised,” one striker said. “If two or three stand up, they can be ignored. But if we all stand together, they have to listen to us.”
Mohammed added, “This is my first time on strike. You gain confidence as the days go by. On the first day, we didn’t know what to do. By the second day, we realised we needed whistles, so we got them delivered.
“We need to be loud, to be noticed. I’m always on the megaphone—you can tell my voice is going.”
Trade unionists should raise solidarity for the G4S security guards.
Striking security workers were dancing in defiance on Whitehall on Thursday during the second week of their two-week strike.
The PCS union members, who are outsourced to multinational G4S, work at government departments in central London.
They are fighting for the same pay and conditions as workers who are directly-employed by the civil service.
One of the strikers told Socialist Worker, “The companies’ last offer was 5p more—not exactly tempting. It was an insult. They are making big profits.
“They outsourced our jobs to the company that would do it on the cheap. That means less pay, less sick pay, less paternity and maternity pay for us. People’s taxes go into making profits for this company.”
Strikers’ whistles, music and spirit of solidarity have livened up the streets of Whitehall for the last two weeks.
The worker said, “Now Labour is in, but it has cut student grants and fuel allowances for pensioners. Money gets invested, but it’s going to shareholders not to the workforce. Privatisation just has to stop.
“They subcontract out the jobs to companies who exploit vulnerable people, like students who need to work for cash in hand. We want to be respected, but we are just numbers to them.”
Striker Mohammed told Socialist Worker, “We are striking for a better pay deal and better terms and conditions.
“At the moment, there are staff who are only entitled to statutory sick leave which is not enough. Everyone should have basic sick pay for 20 days a year.”
He added, “Our strike is solid. We don’t just do chanting—we play music and dance. We want to show that our spirit isn’t easy to break. A big favourite is Bob Marley’s ‘Stand up for your rights’ and a really old one, ‘You can’t touch me, I’m part of the union’.
“People come from our PCS union and they give speeches and give us support and keep us informed. We are a very multicultural workforce—we are Asian, African, European and English and we are showing unity and solidarity. We believe in what we are doing.”
The strike has boosted workers’ confidence to stand up to the bosses. “If one person stands up, they can be victimised,” one striker said. “If two or three stand up, they can be ignored. But if we all stand together, they have to listen to us.”
Mohammed added, “This is my first time on strike. You gain confidence as the days go by. On the first day, we didn’t know what to do. By the second day, we realised we needed whistles, so we got them delivered.
“We need to be loud, to be noticed. I’m always on the megaphone—you can tell my voice is going.”
Trade unionists should raise solidarity for the G4S security guards.
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