Job Centre Plus staff on strike

Mar 9 2010 by Jeff Holmes, Paisley Daily Express

HUNDREDS of Jobcentre staff came out on strike yesterday.

The industrial action is part of the Public and Commercial Services Union’s battle to stop what they see as the eradication of the workers’ terms and conditions.

Union officials set up a picket line outside Jobcentre Plus in Lonend, Paisley, yesterday, and they pledged to be back on the spot again today.

They claim they are trying to defend their redundancy pay from being cut by the government.

Union officials insist that changes to the payments – the Civil Service Compensation Scheme – would make it easier for the next government to make massive job cuts.

Colin Mack, PCS official for Paisley, said: “The last place we want to be is out on the street picketing on a bitterly cold day, but I think it’s absolutely necessary.

“These changes would have a devastating effect on our conditions. We have to act now.

“In fact, we have been negotiating with management since July of last year, so we aren’t taking this lightly.”

Around 300 people work at the Lonend building and Mr Mack claimed that many staff had refused to cross the picket line or had stayed at home.

He said: “It would’ve been nice if more people had come out and joined the picket line but the action has still been a success.

“Many people have reached the picket line and refused to cross after we’ve explained what we’re trying to do.

“In fact, one guy even signed up to join the union before turning round and heading home!”

Following a national ballot, 63 per cent supported the two-day strike action, and a massive 82 per cent backed non-strike action.

As a result of the latter, an overtime ban will be in place as of tomorrow.

Luis Mardones, health and safety officer for the PCS, said: “The strike was organised in such a short space of time, but has still proved effective.

“It was the middle of February when we balloted for strike action, although it has still been very well organised.”

However, Mr Mack conceded: “We’re obviously disappointed that there is no picket line at the Jobcentre Plus offices on Paisley’s High Street.”

According to the union, almost a fifth of civil servants earn less than £15,000 a year and more than half are on less than the UK average of £23,000.

Following the strike action at Lonend, union representatives headed for Glasgow to take part in a mass rally.

Mr Mack said: “Low paid workers are being short changed while bankers are handed billions of pounds of taxpayers’ money.

“The government’s concerns about protecting bankers’ contractual rights to huge bonuses do not appear to extend to its own workforce.”

A spokesperson for Jobcentre Plus said: “All our offices are open as normal. It’s too early to say how the action has affected operations.”