More than 80 jobs are at risk at the Lincoln City Hall site with strike action planned from 1 December to 2 January
Staff at the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) have criticised what they call a “new low” from the benefits and welfare department. The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) Union has warned that DWP Jobcentre staff could face potential redundancy ahead of a closure.
The union stated that over 80 jobs are at risk at the Lincoln City Hall site and its members will take strike action from December 1 until January 2.
Ian Fisher, the union branch chair, commented: “To announce redundancies only after the escalation of industrial action is a new low for the DWP, who have failed to have any empathy throughout this whole process.”
The DWP responded by saying that redeployment for staff had been a “first priority” and a voluntary redundancy scheme is in place.
On Wednesday, a letter from the DWP indicated that there was a possibility “at risk” staff could lose their jobs if an alternative role or department was not found, reports Birmingham Live.
The national services leader wrote: “I understand that changes like this can cause upset and uncertainty.
“Please be assured that I, and the Department, remain committed to supporting all impacted colleagues throughout this time.”
However, the PCS criticised the move, stating that previous denials of redundancy had “prolonged uncertainty and stress”.
Mr Fisher added: “Colleagues have repeatedly asserted their preference for continued employment over redundancy pay-outs, making clear they want jobs, not compensation.”
Fran Heathcote, of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), expressed that members were “being cast aside with little remorse” despite “giving decades of dedicated service to the DWP”.
Bradley Wall, secretary of Lincoln and District Trades Council, stated that the decision to strike demonstrated “the strength, pride and determination of Lincoln’s workforce”.
“Closing this office would be a betrayal, not just of the staff but of Lincolnshire itself,” he added.
The DWP previously mentioned that the workers affected did not see customers face to face and the changes were part of a move towards “fewer, larger, more economically viable sites”.
