Workers at energy regulator Ofgem are stepping up their dispute over pay, jobs and conditions with a week of strike action, the civil service’s biggest union has announced.
Hundreds of PCS members based at Ofgem’s offices in London, Glasgow and Cardiff will strike from 29 September to 3 October, the union has said – coinciding with the Labour Party Conference.
The latest strike dates follow a three-day walkout at the end of last month, supported by a ballot of PCS members at the regulator in May and June. The ballot found 85% of members in favour of strike action, based on a 65% turnout. The union said almost 150 Ofgem staff have joined up since the vote.
PCS said that although it has reached an agreement on pay with Ofgem management, progress on jobs, industrial relations and wider pay reform had “halted”.
Among its concerns are pay bands described by the union as 10-20% below those in sponsoring ministry the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said there is an evident appetite for progress with outstanding issues on the part of union members.
“This strike action will mark a significant escalation by Ofgem members,” she said. “Their determination has seen impressive picket lines organised across the UK and over a hundred new members join the branch.
“Ofgem needs to reach an agreement with us and let our members go back to work.
“Seeing the swell of feeling growing as the campaign goes on, it is clear they will continue taking hard-hitting action and building the branch to achieve their objectives.”
An Ofgem spokesperson said the regulator is “disappointed” with PCS’s decision to fund further industrial action.
“Around a third of Ofgem’s workforce are PCS members, and we continue to engage constructively with them and all our staff to find fair and sustainable solutions that reflect the needs of our people and the organisation,” they said.
“As with the rest of the public sector, it’s vital we are as efficient and effective as possible for the households and businesses we serve, while also ensuring we attract and retain the people and skills we need.
“Our priority is to minimise disruption to our operations and to continue to serve consumers across Britain."
According to Ofgem’s annual report and accounts for 2024-25, it had an average of around 2,110 full-time equivalent staff over the course of the year.