Tens of thousands of Jobcentre, benefit office and pensions workers are taking part in a 48-hour strike in a row over an imposed pay deal.
Tens of thousands of Jobcentre, benefit office and pensions workers are taking part in a 48-hour strike in a row over an imposed pay deal.
Staff at the Department for Work and Pensions walked out in protest over the three-year pay plan.
Staff at the Department for Work and Pensions walked out in protest over the three-year pay plan.
The Public and Commercial Services union warned of "significant disruption" to services because of the stoppage, including office closures.
The Public and Commercial Services union warned of "significant disruption" to services because of the stoppage, including office closures.
But the DWP says all of its offices remain open despite the strike.
But the DWP says all of its offices remain open despite the strike.
A spokeswoman for the DWP said they estimate only half of the 80,000 PCS members eligible to strike did not show up for work.
A spokeswoman for the DWP said they estimate only half of the 80,000 PCS members eligible to strike did not show up for work.
"No offices are closed so customers are still receiving a high level of service and no payments are being disrupted," the spokeswoman said.
"No offices are closed so customers are still receiving a high level of service and no payments are being disrupted," the spokeswoman said.
With non-unionized staff taken into account, the spokeswoman said two-thirds of DWP staff were still working.
With non-unionized staff taken into account, the spokeswoman said two-thirds of DWP staff were still working.
But a union spokesman countered that Jobcentres in Glasgow, Rugby and Acton in west London, plus others throughout Scotland and Wales, are closed and said more than 70,000 members were not at work.
But a union spokesman countered that Jobcentres in Glasgow, Rugby and Acton in west London, plus others throughout Scotland and Wales, are closed and said more than 70,000 members were not at work.
The union says the DWP is ferrying managers between offices to officially keep them open, but in reality clients are being told to come back on Monday.
The union says the DWP is ferrying managers between offices to officially keep them open, but in reality clients are being told to come back on Monday.
The union called the strike over what it says amounts to a pay freeze for 40% of its members.
The union called the strike over what it says amounts to a pay freeze for 40% of its members.
'Rock bottom'
'Rock bottom'
Union general secretary Mark Serwotka said staff morale was at "rock bottom" and accused the government of implementing anti-inflation measures on the backs of DWP workers.
Union general secretary Mark Serwotka said staff morale was at "rock bottom" and accused the government of implementing anti-inflation measures on the backs of DWP workers.
Under the imposed package, pay rises will average 1% a year, with the most junior staff at the DWP earning just 24p above the minimum hourly wage.
Under the imposed package, pay rises will average 1% a year, with the most junior staff at the DWP earning just 24p above the minimum hourly wage.
The union also announced that the job action may spread to the Home Office and civilian staff at the Metropolitan Police.
The union also announced that the job action may spread to the Home Office and civilian staff at the Metropolitan Police.
The PCS is to ballot those workers over a three-year pay offer said to be worth just over 1% a year, while civilian workers in the Met have already voted to reject a 2.25% pay offer.
The PCS is to ballot those workers over a three-year pay offer said to be worth just over 1% a year, while civilian workers in the Met have already voted to reject a 2.25% pay offer.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown told union leadership at the TUC conference in September that "pay discipline" was essential if inflation was to remain low and growth steady.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown told union leadership at the TUC conference in September that "pay discipline" was essential if inflation was to remain low and growth steady.
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