More than 700 staff at energy regulator Ofgem are being balloted over potential strike action after the PCS union accused management of being “deliberately provocative” on pay and job security expectations.
Ofgem, which is overseen by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, had an average of 1,721 employees in the 2023-24 financial year according to its most recent annual report and accounts.
Around one third of the organisation’s headcount could walk out across bases in Cardiff, Glasgow and London if a ballot of PCS members launched today, and set to run until 12 June, indicates strong enough support for strike action.
PCS, which is the civil service’s biggest union, said Ofgem was taking an unacceptably “piecemeal” approach to pay negotiations and allowing senior leaders to spread assumptions about the inevitability of job cuts.
It added that Ofgem was also trying to impose changes to office-attendance requirements without demonstrating any problems exist with currently agreed arrangements.
PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said agreements were needed that would resolve all of the organisation’s pay problems and provide staff with job-security – and that Ofgem’s current approach was unconstructive.
“Ofgem managers have been deliberately provocative in their dealings with us,” she said.
“Rather than driving through sticking plaster solutions for organisation-wide problems, they should reach agreement with us before committing to changes that risk industrial action.
“We’re happy to work with Ofgem, providing we can assure our members that their interests will be protected. They must have the confidence to plan for their futures.”
An Ofgem spokesperson said the regulator was “disappointed” the strike ballot had been launched, but added that the regulator would continue to engage with PCS and staff on the issues of pay, job-security and office attendance.
“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,” the spokesperson said. “We still hope to resolve these issues without industrial action, but should they proceed, our priority will be to serve energy consumers across Britain.”
This story was updated at 14:45 on 1 May 2025 to include a response from Ofgem