Welfare staff set to strike over working conditions

STAFF working on the government’s flagship Universal Credit programme are to strike for two days over claims of “increasingly oppressive” working conditions.

Around 1,500 members of the Public and Commercial Services union in Glasgow and Bolton will walk out next Monday and Tuesday.

The union said its members have complained about a lack of resources, an oppressive management culture, inadequate training, hard-to-reach targets and staff shortages.

In a recent ballot, 84 per cent voted for strikes and 90 per cent voted for other forms of industrial action on a 56 per cent turnout.

The two-day strike will be followed by industrial action short of a strike until mid-August.

The union has not ruled out balloting its members at the other universal credit sites in Bangor, Basildon, Dundee, Makerfield and Middlesbrough.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “The introduction of universal credit has been a textbook example of how not to reform essential public services.

“These harsher working conditions must be withdrawn, they simply heap more pressure on staff who have battled against poor IT, inadequate training and a lack of resources.”

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said: “Only a small minority of Universal Credit workers will be taking part in strikes.

“Staff are already administering Universal Credit in almost 50 per cent of Jobcentres, and feedback shows they feel supported and confident in delivering this reform.”

The DWP said payments would continue if the strike goes ahead.