Department for Education workers could strike over job losses just days after bizarre Gemma Collins video
Department for Education staff will be put to a vote on industrial action following a dispute over job losses and office move plans.
Members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union will vote in the coming weeks on whether to launch a strike campaign.
The union confirmed the potential action was a protest against proposals to close six offices across England.
PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said: “Our members are being presented with impossible choices: they risk having much longer commutes, having their lives and families relocated, or being told to leave.
“No responsible employer should place workers in this position when there are alternatives.
“These closures will have a devastating impact on hundreds of public servants who have dedicated years to providing vital services to children, families and schools across the country.
“The Department’s refusal to consider reasonable flexible working arrangements that could save jobs is deeply disappointing and our members have made clear that this is unacceptable.”
The news comes just days after reality TV star Gemma Collins appeared in a DfE social media video alongside Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson.
In the 18-second clip, Collins enters the DfE building and flashes the peace sign to the camera as he exits the lift before entering the office and saying: “So what are we doing to help children?”
The Education Secretary then appears in the film, opening the door before inviting Collins in and telling him: “Come in, let’s have a chat.”
The DfE captioned the video: “Gemma Collins is in the building and has questions.
“It will arrive soon.”
Former health secretary Wes Streeting retweeted the clip, saying: “When GC met BP” and added a fire emoji.
The TV personality left school with minimum qualifications and spoke to Ms Phillipson about how to ensure children in a similar situation were not left behind, according to the DfE.
The Department for Education (DfE) said the former The Only Way Is Essex star, 45, was not paid for the meetings or posts.
More material from the meeting is expected to be published on DfE social channels in the coming days, and Collins will publish content prepared by his team on his own accounts.
