PCS: Jobcentre call centre strike supported by almost all members
Today’s (18 Apr) strike by Public and Commercial Services union members in the 37 Jobcentre Plus call centres in England, Scotland and Wales has had massive support.
The union says almost all its members have refused to go into work, with some new members signing up to join PCS on the day.
This shows staff desperately want to improve the levels of customer service they can provide and end the target-driven culture that means they are monitored by computer every minute of the day, including how long they take for toilet breaks.
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “Today’s strike sends a clear message that we hope the employer understands and responds to positively.
“It can’t be right that staff are being forced to get callers off the phone as quickly as possible just to meet arbitrary targets. Our members care about the lifeline services they provide and they want to be able to help people properly, not have to fob them off.”
Mark Serwotka said on Saturday (16 Apr) that work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith’s description of the action as “Neanderthal-like” was “thoroughly disgraceful” and called on him to withdraw the comment and apologise: www.pcs.org.uk
ENDS
Notes
– For information and interview requests contact PCS national press officer Richard Simcox on 020 7801 2747 or 07833 978216
– The Public and Commercial Services union represents civil and public servants in central government. It has more than 300,000 members in over 200 departments and agencies, and in parts of government transferred to the private sector. PCS is the UK’s sixth largest union and is affiliated to the TUC. The general secretary is Mark Serwotka and the president is Janice Godrich – on Twitter @janicegodrich
– Follow PCS on Twitter @pcs_union
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