JobCentre staff go on strike (From The Oxford Times)

Oxfordshire JobCentre staff go on strike

10:20am Thursday 21st March 2013 in News By Freddie Whittaker, covering Politics and Kidlington. Call me on 01865 425498

DELAYS and disruption were reported at JobCentres across Oxfordshire after dozens of staff members walked out yesterday.

As part of a national day of industrial action organised by the Public and Commercial Sector (PCS) union, officials said about 85 members of staff at the centre in Oxford walked out.

The action kicked off a three-month period of disruption.

JobCentre customer services manager and PCS branch organiser Wayne Meade, 51, said more than 100 people walked out across the county.

He said eight members of staff joined him on the picket line yesterday morning.

He said: “I imagine there was quite a lot of disruption. We weren’t able to count everybody but we think that only about 15 per cent of staff went in.

“The next thing is a half-day walkout on April 5.”

Similar walkouts were reported in Witney, where an estimated 22 members of the 28-strong staff did not go into work.

The action comes after the Government allegedly refused to hold talks with the union about its demands, which include a minimum pay rise of five per cent.

A Cabinet Office spokesman said: “It is disappointing that yet again the PCS insist on pushing for futile action which benefits no-one, and damages the services they deliver to the public.”