| The action, by members of the Public and Commercial Services Union, represents the biggest strike in the Civil Service for more than a decade and coincides with reports suggesting tens of thousands of workers in the service could lose their jobs under a massive cost-cutting programme, to be recommended to the Government.
It is understood most JobCentres and benefits offices in Fife were completely closed. However, in Tayside, a number remained open, but were offering only the most limited of services.
Although the full impact of the strike in both regions was still being assessed early this afternoon, the action had widespread support.
The action today and tomorrow involves PCS members, not only at JobCentres and benefits offices within the Department of Work and Pensions, but also those at pensions centres such as the 500-plus jobs facility at Claverhouse in Dundee.
Union members at Driving Standards Agency test centres across the country will take strike action tomorrow, hitting tests planned for this week.
Strike action by driving test examiners could lead to up to 5000 tests in England, Scotland and Wales being cancelled.
PCS Tayside branch secretary Ali Arnott told the Evening Telegraph today there was “massive support” from membership in the JobCentre and benefits office network in Dundee.
Pickets were on duty outside the DWP offices in Lindsay Street, Gellatly Street and Wellgate.
In the city, the DWP has 600 members in the Jobcentre/benefits offices network and over 500 at the pensions centre at Claverhouse. About 90% of these employees are PCS members.
“The DWP is estimated to be one of the worst paid in the whole of the Civil Service,” Mr Arnott said today. “I know of one individual who has 27 years service with the department, but is taking home less than £12,000 a year. This is totally unacceptable.”
Mr Arnott said there was a reluctance by the Government to return to a national pay agreement structure.
Most of Fife’s JobCentres and social security offices remained closed today as over 700 local members of the PCS joined colleagues across the country in the walkout.
Services hit included payment of social security benefits, the work of JobCentre staff, advice for pensioners on claiming benefits and Child Support Agency work.
As members picketed JobCentres and social security offices across the region, PCS Fife branch secretary Brian Nairn said he was delighted with the support.
Union members will return to work on Wednesday, but will be working to rule for an indefinite period — something Mr Nairn predicted would affect performance.
The strike had a variable impact across Tayside today, with all JobCentres and Social Security office remaining open, although with limited services available.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Work & Pension in Edinburgh said, “We don’t yet have the full impact figures for the Tayside area, nor a breakdown of how individual local services are being affected.
“Some offices are operating at full capacity while others are getting by on fairly minimal capacity.
“All our JobCentres and Social Security offices are, however, open to the public, and staff are working very hard to minimise disruption to clients.”
In Perth, the industrial action appeared to be having a limited impact.
The JobCentre in High Street was open as normal, though staff said a reduced service was available.
At the main social security office in Mill Street, a steady stream of clients was entering the building and no pickets |
