Talks
to avert strike action at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) broke down
today after unions accused it of "appalling" pay offers and an
unacceptable performance appraisal system.
The
Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) said it would call strike action on
February 16 and 17 to secure a resolution to the dispute – a move likely to
close jobcentres and benefits offices across the country.
Mark
Serwotka, PCS general secretary, said industrial action was now inevitable
because the DWP was unwilling to engage in meaningful negotiations
"It
is high time DWP management seriously addressed the problem of endemic poverty
pay," he said.
