Jobcentre staff strike over safety

Over 400 members of the PCS civil service union in offices in London have been on indefinite strike since 4 September, over the removal of safety screens. As part of the new Jobcentre Plus service, management had proposed to build new public areas but without the security screens protecting staff from violent attacks. According to the union, last year the number of assaults on Benefits Agency staff doubled to over 5,000.

Streatham union representative John Stanley said: "We're all for improving services to the public, but we don't see that coming at the expense of our members' health and safety... If there was a suitable alternative to a physical barrier that ensured the safety of our members, we would consider it, but nobody has come up with one yet."

The union reports that support for the action has been very good with members showing solid support for the strike and new members being recruited on the picket lines. They are now balloting over 20,000 members in Benefits Agency and Employment Service offices across England, Wales and Scotland on extending the action nationwide.