07.12.1995

Employment service strike

MEMBERS of the Civil and Public Service Association union in the employment service are in dispute over this year’s pay offer.

Following a one-day strike on November 30 some offices remain on indefinite strike. In London six offices are out: Kilburn, Willesden A, Uxbridge, Leytonstone, Ilford B and Barnsbury.

The pay offer this year was the worst in the civil service. It is below the rate of inflation and the new pay system is based purely on ‘performance’. ES management have refused to increase the offer despite making £58 million in efficiency savings this year.

In previous years members have voted to accept pay offers which were below the rate of inflation. Workers have suffered cuts in sick leave entitlement and changes to inefficiency and disciplinary procedures which leave members very little right to appeal. For many this year’s pay offer is the final straw.

If workers stay out and spread the action to other offices they hope management will not be able to proceed with their plans to bring in the new Jobseekers Allowance (JSA), which stops unemployment benefit after six months and further reduces benefit for those under 24. This has already been put back six months and management cannot afford to delay it again.

Strikers are asking for support on the picket line each morning.