Jobcentre and benefit office staff are to stage another 48-hour strike next
month in a worsening dispute over pay.
The walkout on 13 and 14 April could leave many offices closed for a week, because
the action will be held immediately after the Easter bank holiday.
The stoppage will involve tens of thousands of workers across the UK,
following the failure to break a deadlocked row over pay. The Public and
Commercial Services (PCS) union said it had been left with no alternative other
than to call a strike, but stressed it was willing to resume talks with the
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
The union has accused the DWP of imposing a below inflation pay rise on
civil servants and of introducing a discriminatory performance appraisal
system.
Mark Serwotka, PCS general secretary, said: "Unless management take the
offer of conciliation through Acas seriously and get moving on a negotiated
outcome, we’ll be left with no choice but to call further strike action."
Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance
Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday
Union members went on strike for two days last month, and have been working
to rule for weeks. But the DWP maintains it has made a good pay offer, and
described last month’s strike as ‘indefensible’.
GO TO www.personneltoday.com/goto/22541
for an interview with the head of the DWP
GO TO www.personneltoday.com/goto/22243
for analysis of the strike
