Are the Jobcentre on Strike 20/3/2013

SnooksNJ

chelle_bell wrote: »

I dont work in the job centre but i'll be on strike on the 20th. It isn't the whole of the job centre it is the staff who have paid out of their wages to be part of the union, the union is fighting that civil service wages haven't risen with the rate of inflation and other pension issues. (benefits rise with inflation)

Please remember that civil servants (non job centre) work in the civil service for a lower wage than the equivalent job in theprivate sector, the reason they do this is because of the other benefits such as pension, secure job, ect.

So the answer is yes, there will still be people there, maybe alot less than usual so services restricted?

I see from this thread there is some bitterness towards civil servants but civil servants have really taken a hit from all this we are all in this together business. I wouldn't want to work at a lower wage and then have the terms of my hiring contract just changed. Good luck with your strike.

scootw1

SnooksNJ wrote: »

I see from this thread there is some bitterness towards civil servants but civil servants have really taken a hit from all this we are all in this together business. I wouldn't want to work at a lower wage and then have the terms of my hiring contract just changed. Good luck with your strike.

Everybody has taken a hit (excpet for the very rich I suppose) but we just get on with it. Would the jobcentre rather be out of work? That would be the situation if the Government caved in as they could not afford to keep all the staff on. As for civil servants taking on more work over the last few years, a lot of other people have as well across the public sector but we don't moan about it we just get on with it. What makes civil servants so special?

sammyjammy

scootw1 wrote: »

Everybody has taken a hit (excpet for the very rich I suppose) but we just get on with it. Would the jobcentre rather be out of work? That would be the situation if the Government caved in as they could not afford to keep all the staff on. As for civil servants taking on more work over the last few years, a lot of other people have as well across the public sector but we don't moan about it we just get on with it. What makes civil servants so special?

Maybe they are fighting for what they believe in. Just because others accept what is done to them it doesn't mean its the right thing to do. If more people fought for what they believe in this country instead of passively complaining about the governments actions but doing nothing would be a better place.

scootw1

sammyjammy wrote: »

Maybe they are fighting for what they believe in. Just because others accept what is done to them it doesn't mean its the right thing to do. If more people fought for what they believe in this country instead of passively complaining about the governments actions but doing nothing would be a better place.

What amazes me is that they are striking over money. If it was conditions I might have a bit more sympathy. If they are that badly off how can they afford to lose the money that they lose when they strike? Other accept it because they want to keep their jobs. I find it amazing that firms are not allowed to sack strikers as they are not fulfilling their contracts (i.e they are not working). I don't think the right to strike would be a clause in there.

mysterywoman10

antonic wrote: »

I`m a CS of 20 years plus service (NOT in the DWP) who voted against going on strike and taking action short of industrial action BECAUSE I knew asking for a 5% payrise or £1200 was totally unrealistic.

BUT as someone who has needed PCS help 3 times and respects the majority vote in favour I will be on strike on the 20th and it will cost me about £40 for the privilege.

I would also add that (currently) we have a democratic right to strike, and the strike on the 20th will affect the whole of the Civil Service (HMRC/DWP/UKBA).

I respect you all, my fellow strikers !.

I respect you for making your position clear but still going with the majority. I do agree they have the right to strike. I also think the staff are under a lot of stress to meet these never ending targets all the time. Many of which are probably very unrealistic.

I'm not sure it will do them any good though.

nannytone_2

it's totally unfair to blame job centre staff.

ok, there may be some that 'enjoy' their jobs a ;ott;e tpp much, but you will get that anywhere.

both my kids work in the job centre ( one in london and the other in yorkshire)
they have seen staff numbers cut by almost a third, and the amount of work has doubled.

my daughter was even expected to 'cover' the security guards lunch breaks ,,, when she was 7 months pregnant!

the people that staff the job centres have no choice in the decisions that are made about anypones claims. they are made by some faceless person sitting in an office somewhere, that never comes face to face with a claimant.

its like ranting at the girl on the checkout because Tesco sold you a bottle of cola that was fizzy enough!

sammyjammy

scootw1 wrote: »

What amazes me is that they are striking over money. If it was conditions I might have a bit more sympathy. If they are that badly off how can they afford to lose the money that they lose when they strike? Other accept it because they want to keep their jobs. I find it amazing that firms are not allowed to sack strikers as they are not fulfilling their contracts (i.e they are not working). I don't think the right to strike would be a clause in there.

Thank god you don't run the country then. :eek:

MissMoneypenny

midnight_express wrote: »

The JSA staff are victims of this government as are those who have lost their jobs. 760,000 public sector workers have lost their jobs since this government came to power. I have a friend who was laid off from the JSA as were many others. As in many other work places fewer staff are doing more work for in real terms less money.

Welcome to the real world.

As I have posted a few times before, my mother worked for the civil service and they all knew that when Labour got to power, that they would be overstaffed in the state sector. Then when the Conservatives got back in, they knew all those extra created jobs would be gone and they would have to work harder again (still ending work at 5pm though).

Labour had been in power for so long that many state workers might not have even known what it is like to work for the state under another government. All the "more work for in real terms less money" they feel they are now being unfairly asked to do, its just the norm under a non Labour government.

This is why many private firms will not hire ex state workers, as many of these have an unrealistic idea of what 'hard work' is. Many of those "760,000" state workers may find that they are virtually unemployable. I don't know anyone in the private sector who works less than 50 hours a week.

I know someone who wanted to work less hours so she got a job as a full time state worker in a JSA centre, 5 years ago. She was given tea breaks in the morning and afternoon; a full hour for lunch away from her desk and even more astounding is that the books are always locked up in the safe by 4.30pm - just so the staff can be walking out the door at 5pm! The taxpayer is not getting good value for money.

MissMoneypenny

nannytone wrote: »

my daughter was even expected to 'cover' the security guards lunch breaks ,,,

What's a "lunch break"?

nanatopsy

MissMoneypenny wrote: »

Welcome to the real world.


I know someone who wanted to work less hours so she got a job as a full time state worker in a JSA centre, 5 years ago. She was given tea breaks in the morning and afternoon; a full hour for lunch away from her desk and even more astounding is that the books are always locked up in the safe by 4.30pm - just so the staff can be walking out the door at 5pm! The taxpayer is not getting good value for money.

Am not doubting you, but don't think this is in all areas/departments. Morning tea breaks were 'working' t breaks, with phones going and work still being processed. I have become used to drinking cold coffee. No such thing as an afternoon t break. Couldn't even eat a chocolate bar during work hours as told 'we weren't cattle and didn't graze'! lol