CIVIL servants will begin nine days' strike action tomorrow in a dispute over office closures, attendance polices and recruitment strategy.

Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) members at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) based in Newcastle will walk out until May 2. Those working in Birmingham, Exeter, Sheffield, Truro and Warrington meanwhile will strike for four days.

PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said: “It’s high time the government and the ministry began to listen to their staff and put an end to these reckless, regressive decisions to close local offices while rigidly enforcing mandatory office attendance.

“They should start thinking strategically, considering the vital projects that local offices deliver for our communities and enhancing flexibility to allow staff to choose how and where they perform their jobs, in a manner that benefits both them and the communities we serve.”

A MHCLG spokesperson said: “We have engaged with unions and staff about a number of proposals – including plans to expand five offices outside of London and close six offices over the next two years, as leases come to an end.

“The department will continue to have offices in every English region as well as Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and all staff affected will be able to continue in their roles.”

PCS announced last week that more than a thousand civil servants working in 16 MHCLG offices across Britain had voted for strike action, joining colleagues in Birmingham, Exeter, Newcastle, Sheffield, Truro and Warrington who last month voted for action over plans to close their office.