Benefits staff in strike threat

Job-seeking and benefit services across Sussex will be severely disrupted as staff join a national protest against plans to remove safety screens designed to protect them from physical attack.

Union representatives were due to hold talks with management today and tomorrow but said a strike would almost certainly go ahead on Wednesday and Thursday Benefits Agency offices in Edward Street, Brighton, and Boundary Road, Hove, and Jobcentres in Old Steine, West Street and Upper North Street, Brighton, and Kingsway, Hove, would be affected, as would offices in Lewes and Newhaven.

Most would close although a few might remain open for inquiries.

People due to make new benefit claims have had their interviews cancelled and existing claimants have been told they would not have to sign on.

The strike comes after safety screens were removed in offices taking part in the new Jobcentre Plus pilot scheme.

It will be launched in April and bring together services offered by Jobcentres and the Benefits Agency.

Although there are no pilot offices in Sussex, they could replace existing services in Brighton and Hove soon after April.

Up to 250 staff in Brighton and Hove, members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), could join the strike.

Martin Smith, PCS organiser for Brighton, said: "Benefits Agency staff are protected by safety screens but they will be taken down with the merging of the services.

"A lot of staff in Brighton have been involved in potentially serious incidents but the screens have prevented serious verbal abuse going any further. Being threatened is a daily occurrence. A member of staff was recently stabbed in London.

"The new Jobcentre Plus offices may look nice with their Ikea furniture but they will not prevent assaults on our members. The sensible measures that PCS are asking for will.

"Jobcentre Plus is likely to place many of our members in situations where the risk of assault is far greater than they face now."