Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Contract staff at Jobcentres to strike

 

Alan Jones
Tuesday 10 April 2012 10:08 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Hundreds of contract staff in jobcentres will go on strike today in a dispute over job cuts.

Members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union working in call centres, jobcentres and offices across the country will walk out for two hours from 9.30am.

They are employed by Balfour Beatty, providing the Department for Work and Pensions with telephone and typing services.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "This dispute is a result of privatisation creating a two tier workforce.

"Balfour Beatty staff work alongside civil servants but are treated much worse. There has been no attempt to redeploy people facing redundancy and the terms on offer are the lowest the company can get away with and stay within the law."

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said: "Jobcentre Plus employees are not involved in this strike and we are working with Balfour Beatty. We have plans in place to ensure our services are maintained."

PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in