CIVIL Service workers whose jobs have been outsourced to private contractors marked today’s so-called “freedom day” with three days of strike action against their employers.

Cleaners, security guards and other support staff at the government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) are fighting for a pay rise, better working conditions, bonuses for working during lockdown and for annual leave owed from last year.

The 92 workers are employed by contractor ISS and are members of the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS).

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “ISS is treating its staff appallingly and despite repeated strike actions in recent years, it seems the contractor has not learnt its lesson.

“BEIS holds ultimate responsibility for the ISS contract and it is the height of hypocrisy to say you are committed to workers’ rights when you turn a blind eye to bad practices by bad bosses within your own department.”

He said that ISS should be sacked and workers taken back into direct employment.