Members of Prospect and the Public and Commercial Services union will now go ahead with a one-day strike on Wednesday, June 9.

Both unions took the decision to reschedule the day of protest, due to take place today, to allow time to resubmit the legally required notice of strike action to FSS management after it alleged that it had not received proper notification.

Prospect and PCS represent 2,700 scientists and support staff based in all seven FSS laboratories – Chorley (Lancashire), Wetherby (West Yorkshire), Birmingham (Trident Court and Priory House), London (Lambeth), Huntingdon (Cambridgeshire) and Chepstow (Gwent).

The dispute is over management’s refusal to increase a pay offer to staff of 1.125%, overdue from July 2003. However special dispensation will be given to staff presenting evidence in court cases or called to emergency crime scenes.