OUTSOURCED staff who took indefinite strike action at a major government department have won out against “intransigent” agency employer ISS by gaining the London Living Wage.

The workers, including caterers, cleaners, receptionists, porters, postal room assistants and security guards, subcontracted by agency giant ISS to work at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) are now paid £10.55 an hour.

They have also gained a massively improved deal on sick pay and have had their allotted annual leave increased.

The workers, who are members of the PCS union, have been involved in strike action with outsourcers since January this year which continued when ISS took over their contracts in March.

After the workers’ pay had failed to match the rising cost of living and amid payroll errors by ISS, the union was forced to step in and establish foodbanks for workers who couldn’t afford to buy food for themselves.

Cleaners and caterers employed by ISS and fellow outsourcing giant Aramark started an indefinite strike in July to put further pressure on management.

Huge enthusiasm for the strike and support from other parts of the trade union movement led Aramark to grant the London Living Wage and improved conditions to its BEIS workers, with ISS now following suit.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “This has been a heroic effort by our members from start to finish.

“They have shown the entire trade union movement that when you stick together and strike together, anything is possible.

“Our members, who are mainly migrant workers, have endured immense hardship, with the local branch having to set up a foodbank to support workers due to pay being so low.

“ISS have been a very intransigent employer and if wasn’t for the steadfastness of our striking members, they would not have won a just settlement.

“This whole episode underlines the clear need for all private contracted out staff in government departments to be immediately brought back in house and given Civil Service pay and conditions.”

Labour shadow business secretary Rebecca Long Bailey told the Morning Star: “It’s a fantastic victory for staff at BEIS, who after months of action, fighting for their voices to be heard, are now getting paid a living wage.

“This is the sheer power of workers acting in solidarity to demand change.

“Government wouldn’t be able to function without these workers, but outsourcing of this work should never have happened, nor should it have been an excuse not to pay workers the London Living Wage, or deny them the same rights as directly employed staff.”