Civil servants at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) office in Lincoln have voted in decisive numbers to conduct a strike in reaction to the projected closure of their facility. The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union, of which over 60 members are situated at Lincoln City Hall Service and Support Centre, displays an unequivocal support for the strike; with a remarkable 86% endorsing the action. The closure announcement made on 17 June, puts a total of 128 positions in jeopardy, causing marked unease amongst the workforce.
The PCS union underscored the obstacles presented by Lincoln’s remote geographical placement, cautioning that employees might be confronted with unbearable travel expenses and excessive travel times if relocation is mandated. Fran Heathcote, the secretary of the union, pronounced that union members are steadfast in their resistance to the closure. Although specific dates for the strike are yet to be set, the union’s position remains unyielding.
Simultaneously, a spokesperson for the DWP provided assurances that action is being taken to assist the staff in question, including the possibility of exploring job transfer opportunities. The spokesperson corroborated that the closure is not expected to interfere with different services currently available at the Lincoln location. Negotiations between the DWP and trade unions are continuously taking place to address these urgent issues.
This news was reported by The Lincoln Post, based on original reporting from www.bbc.com.
