The PCS union has announced further strike action at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office over the department’s restructuring programme.
Members of PCS who work at the FCDO have already taken strike action on 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30 July, along with action short of strike from 17-30 July, after backing action in a ballot that took place in May and June.
They are now set take two more days of strike action, on 12 and 26 August, in protest at the department’s restructure plans and a lack of assurance over compulsory redundancies.
Action short of a strike will also run continuously from 31 July on all days when strike action is not being taken until further notice, PCS added.
The dispute centres on the FCDO 2030 restructure plan, which is targeting a “smaller, more modern and more effective department” by the end of this decade.
Following the 2025 Spending Review, FCDO expects its total spending to decrease by an average of 8.3% a year in real terms between 2025-26 and 2028-29, the largest reduction of any department. To achieve this, the department has committed to make 5% in total savings and efficiencies by 2028-29, which will be partly achieved through the restructure.
The newly-published Civil Service Statistics for 2025-26 show that 380 officials left the FCDO through voluntary exit schemes last year, the third highest number among government departments.
Fran Heathcote, PCS’s general secretary, said: “Members in FCDO have shown the strength of feeling around this restructure. These further strike dates, as well as the ongoing action short of strike action, demonstrates that they’re not willing to back down. We’re calling on management to get back round the table and follow a proper process.”
Commenting on the announcement, Foreign Affairs Committee chair Emily Thornberry said: "News of more strikes is very disappointing. The FCDO needs to change, but a process that seems designed to simply reduce overall headcount rather than deliver on the government's priorities does not work for staff, or for the FCDO's work in securing Britain's place on the world stage."
An FCDO spokesperson said: “FCDO2030 is a strategic transformation that will redefine how the FCDO delivers for the UK in an increasingly complex and volatile world. We respect the right of PCS members to take strike action and remain open to further talks. Consultation has been ongoing since the autumn and contingency plans are in place across affected business areas to minimise disruption.”