Staff at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are expressing outrage over proposed job cuts and a potential office closure, labeling the situation as a “new low” for the agency. The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) Union has warned that over 80 jobs are at risk at the Lincoln City Hall site. In response to these developments, union members plan to initiate strike action from December 1, 2023 until January 2, 2024.
Union representatives have criticized the DWP for its handling of the situation, particularly the timing of the redundancy announcements. Ian Fisher, chair of the union branch, stated that the announcement of job losses only comes after the escalation of industrial action, indicating a lack of empathy from the department. “To announce redundancies only after the escalation of industrial action is a new low for the DWP,” Fisher remarked, highlighting the frustration of workers who feel their concerns have been ignored.
The DWP has claimed that staff redeployment is a priority and that a voluntary redundancy scheme is in place. In a letter distributed to affected employees on Wednesday, Rob Clarbour, national services leader at the DWP, acknowledged the distress caused by these changes. He assured staff of the department’s commitment to support those impacted, stating, “I understand that changes like this can cause upset and uncertainty.”
Despite these reassurances, the PCS argues that previous denials of redundancy have only prolonged the stress and uncertainty felt by employees. Fisher emphasized that workers have repeatedly expressed their preference for job security over financial compensation, saying, “Colleagues have asserted their preference for continued employment over redundancy pay-outs.”
Additionally, Fran Heathcote from the PCS criticized the DWP’s approach, stating that dedicated staff members are being “cast aside with little remorse” despite years of service. Bradley Wall, secretary of the Lincoln and District Trades Council, supported the union’s stance, stating that the decision to strike reflects “the strength, pride and determination of Lincoln’s workforce.” He added, “Closing this office would be a betrayal, not just of the staff but of Lincolnshire itself.”
The DWP previously indicated that the affected workers do not engage in face-to-face interactions with customers and that the restructuring is part of a broader strategy to create “fewer, larger, more economically viable sites.”
As the situation develops, the actions of the PCS and the response from the DWP will be closely monitored, with implications not just for the employees at the Lincoln site but for the broader workforce within the agency.
