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PCS Union in massive row over benefit payments

sheffer | 01.02.2005 18:13 | Social Struggles | Workers' Movements | Sheffield

the PCS union reacts as claimants are denied payment unless they agree to be paid into a bank/post office

from the Star

Job Centre staff in row over payments by giro

A FURIOUS row has blown up between unions and management in Sheffield JobCentres over new rules for the payment of benefits to claimants.
PCS union members say they are "outraged" at changes which mean benefit payments being suspended for customers who cannot provide bank account or Post Office account details.
They claim staff have been told by bosses to turn down people wanting payments by giro instead. And they allege staff have been threatened they will be "monitored by line managers for compliance". The union says the changes are being used as an excuse to ultimately axe staff.

Department bosses have confirmed giros are being phased out but say they are simply offering "encouragement and advice." But union bosses insist the public still have a legal right to payment by giro if they want.
A PCS spokesperson said: "Senior management in Sheffield have instructed staff to tell customers 'that if they do not have a bank/post office account then a first payment cannot be made as giros are no longer available'. They added 'in future, we only make payments by account'."
The union claimed management insisted that staff do not offer customers the option of being paid by giro and told line managers to monitor employees to make sure they advise people to accept direct payment.
A PCS spokesperson said: "Direct Payment is being used as a means to axe staff at a time when the government has announced its intention to cut jobs and close offices. This is their motivation rather than customer choice. We are opposed to the public being pressganged into Direct Payment."
A spokesperson for the Department of Work and Pension confirmed giro payments were no longer an available form of payment in normal circumstances, but could be paid in urgent cases.
He said: "Giro cheques are being phased out."
01 February 2005

sheffer

Comments

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common cause

01.02.2005 21:55

Seems like claimants and Job Centre workers have common cause here. Both being bullied by Job Centre management to lay the way for a cost-cutting exercise. I particularly like the bit in the article where "a Department boss" describes the browbeating of claimants (into accepting direct payment) as "encouragement and advice". Very New Labour - they don't just want to screw you, they want you to want it.

What should we do about it? Write to The Star (which had a reasonable editorial about it), phone PCS regional office 0113 200 5300, let people know they have a right to be paid by giro if they want (and insist). And perhaps some action that's more direct?

stu


common cause

01.02.2005 23:28

It seems that both claimants and workers at Job Centres have common cause. Both being bullied by management in order to complete a (pre-election) cost cutting exercise.
I like the way "Department bosses" describe their campaign of browbeating claimants into accepting direct payment as "encouragement and advice". It took me 3 phone calls, a letter and an interview before they stopped their "encouragement and advice" and listened. I've seen the pressure that Job Centre workers are under to sell the direct payment message and know that many think it stinks.

Action? Write to The Star (which had a reasonable editorial about it), phone PCS regional office 0113 200 5300, let claimants know they have a right to refuse direct payment and perhaps some action of a more direct nature.

stu


.

02.02.2005 00:16

oops, my mistake

stu


we are all quotas now

04.02.2005 15:49

I was speaking to a Job Centre worker today. He confirmed that there were monthly quotas of numbers of claimants "advised" and "encouraged" into accepting direct payment of benefits. I have yet to speak to a benefit worker who agrees with this process or the methods used. Already, cuts in staff numbers are affecting claimants (long waits) and benefit workers (a clear increase in pressure and stress).

Staff cuts are also leading to some pretty surreal situations: for example, having to use the phones in Job Centres to call a national call centre in order to make an appointment to see someone in the very same Job Centre, sitting just feet away.

stu


DWP Direct Payment

09.06.2005 13:33

As part of the 'Direct Payment Team' which existed for 9 months in Sheffield, we were encouraged to 'put the screws on' claimants and to use the 'no money unless through an account' threat. Furthermore we used ' creative' methods to stop the money of those who would not comply in the Autumn of 2004.

All in all not what I joind the DWP for............

Richard
mail e-mail: la_condotta@yahoo.com