Some claimants of benefits, including Universal Credit, may be affected as staff at Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) offices go on strike over the Christmas period. The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union has warned around 200 of its members will be walking out as part of a dispute over pay and work conditions.
The civil servants at four DWP branches in the northwest are continuing their industrial action following initial strikes on Monday (December 19). After rejecting an offer on pay, the PCS has threatened more walkouts until December 31, reported the Independent.
It's part of a national campaign by the union for a 10% pay rise, while it is also seeking assurances on job security and redundancy terms. The PCS previously gave notice of strikes involving the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), the Rural Payments Agency and the National Highways.
