Court staff to strike over Covid safety fears

Employees in Liverpool and east London opt for walkout as union calls for regular testing

Staff at Snaresbrook Crown Court have voted for industrial action (PA)

Staff will go on strike in two courts over coronavirus safety concerns, amid claims workers are being “deeply let down” and left “worried for their safety”.

Members of the Public and Commercial Services union at Liverpool Law Courts and Snaresbrook Crown Court, in east London, backed industrial action.

The union has been calling for courts to be closed and only reopened with regular testing of staff and increased safety measures.

Mark Serwotka, the PCS general secretary, said: “This vote for strike action is an indictment of management's refusal to take Covid in the workplace seriously.

“Court staff have been working incredibly hard in this pandemic keeping the justice system running, but they feel deeply let down and are worried for their safety.”

A Courts and Tribunal Service spokesman told PA Media: “All our courts are Covid-secure and meet strict Public Health England standards – there is no evidence of heightened transmission in our estate.

“It is regrettable a small proportion of our workforce voted for action, risking unnecessary disruption, but we remain focused on delivering justice safely and continue to engage with unions.”