This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/business-13110056
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 4 | Version 5 |
---|---|
Jobcentre staff on strike for 24 hours | Jobcentre staff on strike for 24 hours |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Thousands of Jobcentre staff are on strike in a row over working conditions and management targets. | Thousands of Jobcentre staff are on strike in a row over working conditions and management targets. |
Members of the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) in 37 call centres are taking part in a 24-hour walk-out, accusing management of "little willingness" to resolve their dispute. | Members of the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) in 37 call centres are taking part in a 24-hour walk-out, accusing management of "little willingness" to resolve their dispute. |
High Street Jobcentres are not directly affected by the action. | High Street Jobcentres are not directly affected by the action. |
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has said it is disappointed at the decision to take industrial action. | The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has said it is disappointed at the decision to take industrial action. |
The PCS union said that there were picket lines more than 30 of the call centres. | The PCS union said that there were picket lines more than 30 of the call centres. |
However, according to a DWP spokesman early indications were that some 60% of staff had turned up to work. | |
"We have contingency plans in place," she added, claiming that calls were being rerouted and answered. | |
The telephone services affected are benefit claims, job searches and crisis loans. | |
The walk-out follows a two-day strike by union members at seven centres in January. | The walk-out follows a two-day strike by union members at seven centres in January. |
Widening dispute | Widening dispute |
The DWP announced a revamp of its telephone and benefit processing service in October 2009. | The DWP announced a revamp of its telephone and benefit processing service in October 2009. |
The January action started after a decision to convert seven benefit processing offices into "contact centres", with staff re-allocated to taking calls from the public. | The January action started after a decision to convert seven benefit processing offices into "contact centres", with staff re-allocated to taking calls from the public. |
Since then the dispute has broadened to include staff at all 37 contact centres. | Since then the dispute has broadened to include staff at all 37 contact centres. |
In a ballot in March of the union's 7,000 members who work in call centres, 70% of those who took part voted for strike action. The vote had a turnout of 43%. | In a ballot in March of the union's 7,000 members who work in call centres, 70% of those who took part voted for strike action. The vote had a turnout of 43%. |
Although talks continued, they broke down earlier this month. | Although talks continued, they broke down earlier this month. |
The PCS says it wants to end a target-driven culture, particularly by changing the way "unrealistic" average call times are used. | The PCS says it wants to end a target-driven culture, particularly by changing the way "unrealistic" average call times are used. |
"The truth is, staff are monitored every minute of the day," said PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka. | "The truth is, staff are monitored every minute of the day," said PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka. |
"The computer dictates start and finish times and tells them when to go for a break, with staff hauled up if they are 40 seconds late back or go over the time allowed for a call. Toilet breaks are monitored and constantly questioned." | "The computer dictates start and finish times and tells them when to go for a break, with staff hauled up if they are 40 seconds late back or go over the time allowed for a call. Toilet breaks are monitored and constantly questioned." |
The DWP said its staff "have good terms of employment including generous holidays, and have a good amount of flexibility". | The DWP said its staff "have good terms of employment including generous holidays, and have a good amount of flexibility". |
The Department used performance measures "to ensure that performance and productivity are high", it said. | The Department used performance measures "to ensure that performance and productivity are high", it said. |
Do you work at a Jobcentre? Are you participating in the strike? Send us your comments using the form below: | Do you work at a Jobcentre? Are you participating in the strike? Send us your comments using the form below: |