Parliament faces disruption as its security staff protest “culture of fear”

The security guards are employed by a commission chaired by speaker John Bercow

Some parliamentary events will be disrupted tommorow as security staff go on strike over alleged bullying and unfair dismissals

Members of the PCS Union voted by 86% to strike tommorow to demand rest breaks, settlements for longstanding personal cases and the reinstatement of a member.

The security guards are employed by the House of Commons Commission, a cross-party commission of MPs chaired by the speaker John Bercow.

General Secretary Mark Serwotka said: “This walkout is about staff demanding justice and fairness in the workplace. Our members are not prepared to put up with a culture of fear.

“The House of Commons Commission need to recognise this strength of feeling amongst their security staff and settle this dispute. Their intransience has led to this strike.”

A PCS spokesperson told Left Foot Forward that bullying has been an issue for many, many months.

Access for public visitors to parliament may also be affected.

Joe Lo is a freelance journalist and a reporter for Left Foot Forward.

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