Court workers’ union votes to go on strike over Covid safety concerns

Court workers’ union votes to go on strike over Covid safety concerns – despite backlog of almost 500,000 unheard cases

  • Members of the Public and Commercial Services union backed industrial action 
  • The union has been calling for courts to be closed, and reopened with testing
  • PCS general secretary it was caused by bosses refusal to take Covid seriously

Staff in two courts in England have voted to take strike action over coronavirus safety concerns despite a backlog of almost 500,000 unheard cases.

Members of the Public and Commercial Services union at Liverpool Law Courts and Snaresbrook Crown Court in London backed industrial action.

The union has been calling for courts to be closed, and reopened with regular testing of staff and increased safety measures.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka (pictured) said: ‘This vote for strike action is an indictment of management’s refusal to take Covid in the workplace seriously’

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: ‘This vote for strike action is an indictment of management’s refusal to take Covid in the workplace seriously.

‘Court staff have been working incredibly hard in this pandemic keeping the justice system running, but they feel deeply let down and are worried for their safety.’

A Courts and Tribunal Service spokesman said: ‘All our courts are Covid-secure and meet strict Public Health England standards – there is no evidence of heightened transmission in our estate.

‘It is regrettable a small proportion of our workforce voted for action, risking unnecessary disruption, but we remain focused on delivering justice safely and continue to engage with unions.’