March 29, 2012 -- Jobcentre staff across Merseyside, including St Helens, are taking strike action for the second time this month tomorrow (Friday, March 30) over plans to move them into a call centre.

The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) alleges that the forced moves would amount to a reduction in administrative grade staff in the area of around 28 per cent.

The union, which represents 85 per cent of the 1,500 Job centre staff across Merseyside says more, not fewer, workers are needed to deal with the effects of rising unemployment caused by the recession.

North West regional secretary Peter Middleman said: "It is simply illogical to cut job seeking services when parts of the Merseyside region are suffering from crippling unemployment levels of over 12 per cent".

He added: "We know Thatcher wanted to write this area off in the 80s, but our members are determined to defend the valuable service they provide to unemployed workers, even if the current government seems intent on turning a blind eye to the effects of their austerity policies on communities such as ours".

Workers will walk-out for three hours from 2pm tomorrow.

Posted by Veronica Silva Cusi, news correspondent
Source: http://www.sthelensstar.co.uk