WATCH NOW: 'The idea of a Civil Service that doesn't have a world view'
By Jack Walters
Published: 13/05/2024
Speculation about industrial action comes shortly after Esther McVey took aim at the civil service over rainbow lanyards
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Civil servants could soon take strike action after warning Rishi Sunak is adopting anti-trans policies, a report has claimed.
The Public & Commercial Services (PCS) union, which represents Whitehall staff, is considering calls for “industrial and legal action” over “any new anti-trans guidance”.
Calls for action come after the Department for Education released draft guidance which warns teachers against letting pupils identify as the opposite sex without parental consent.
The proposed motion said such a move would “make life harder for trans and non-binary school students”, the Daily Mail has revealed.
It also slammed the Government for blocking Scotland’s attempt to bring in gender self-ID for people as young as 16.
The motion cites Cabinet Office guidance banning trans women from using female toilets unless they have a Gender Recognition Certificate.
It claimed such guidance “would have led to the harassment of trans and non-binary people”.
“Political attacks on trans people are part of attempts to whip up so-called 'culture wars' and to divide working-class people, and our union has a duty to build unity and stand by our trans members and the wider community,” the motion added.
PCS can “oppose any guidance on trans and non-binary workers that would marginalise these workers” if the motion is passed by delegates.
Caroline Ffiske, of Conservatives for Women, said: “Dismissing the debate around trans rights as a ‘whipped up culture war’ indicates they have paid no attention to the concerns and grassroots activism of literally thousands of women who have raised their voices about free speech, women’s single-sex spaces and sports as well as the safeguarding of vulnerable children.
“If the PCS cares at all about these matters, it will give this motion the short shrift it deserves.”
Potential strike action comes as Common Sense Minister Esther McVey announced a ban on rainbow lanyards.
The Tatton MP said: “I want a very simple but visible change to occur to the lanyards we use to carry our security passes which shouldn't be a random pick and mix.
“They should be a standard design reflecting that we are all members of the government delivering for the citizens of the UK.
“Working in the civil service is all about leaving your political views at the building entrance.
“Trying to introduce them by the back door via lanyards should not happen.
“The focus should be on a happy and inclusive working environment and increased productivity.”
She added: “Given the crucial role civil serrvants play in delivering the services we need to stop the inappropriate backdoor politicisation of the civil service which diverts time and resources from that focus on the public.
“We have too often seen them distracted by fashionable hobbyhorses.
“Especially when it comes to issues like equality and diversity.
“People want the public servants to be getting on with the job of making their lives better, not engaging in endless internal discussions about ideology and I'm not prepared to see pointless job creation schemes for the politically correct.”
