Rotherham civil servants strike in redundancy cuts row

The walkout on Monday and yestersday hit job centres in Rotherham, Maltby, Dinnington and Mexborough, while courts were disrupted and driving tests cancelled, the Public and Commercial Services union said.

Pickets were held outside Rotherham Jobcentre Plus at Chantry House in Rotherham town centre on both days.

Striking workers said that they were angry at Government plans to make job cuts “on the cheap.”

The walkouts were part of industrial action called nationally by the PCS which involved more than 200,000 staff.

The PCS said Government proposed changes to the compensation scheme would see many long-serving staff receive thousands of pounds less if forced out of their jobs.

The union fears that the government wants to make it easier for whoever wins the general election to cut low paid civil and public servants.

Marion Lloyd, national executive member of the PCS, said the 48-hour stoppage had been very well supported.

She went on: “These cuts will see hard-working civil servants losing thousands of pounds. 

"We have suggested ways of making savings without cutting existing rights but it's clear they are more interested in using our members' livelihoods as a political football.

"This is a cynical move to make job cuts on the cheap.

“The Government is tearing up the contracts of low paid civil and public servants whilst it claims it can do nothing about bankers’ bonuses because of contractual obligations.

“The government need to recognise that slashing entitlements and cutting jobs will damage public services and they should reach an agreement that protects existing members’ entitlements.”

Staff from pensions centres, tax collection offices, the UK Border Agency, coastguards, courts, museums and galleries and driving test centres were involved in the action.

The strikes are the first of a series of two-day walkouts, which will be held weekly over the next month.

A national overtime ban has also been called for the period of the dispute.

The Minister for the Cabinet Office Tessa Jowell claimed that 70 per cent of PCS members decided not to take part in the action. 

She added: “This low turnout for two days in a row by PCS members supports the view that after 18 months of negotiation and consultation, the right deal has been reached for both civil servants and taxpayers. 

“The changes have already been agreed with five of the six civil service unions.

"During the negotiating process, we responded to union concerns by ensuring additional protection for lower paid staff.”