INVERCLYDE’S MP has demanded better communication from the Jobcentre and striking staff after service users were ‘left in the dark’ about industrial action which caused Greenock’s branch to shut suddenly earlier this week.
Jobcentre users have told the Telegraph how they were left mystified on Tuesday morning when they arrived to access the hub’s services, only to find the doors shut due to G4S security guard strikes.
The walkouts, which took place on Monday and Tuesday, are the first of a number of strikes scheduled for this month, with GMB Union members set to take part in industrial action on four further dates.
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A spokesperson for the GMB Union confirmed to the Telegraph that additional actions will take place on May 13, May 20, May 28 and May 29.
Inverclyde MP Ronnie Cowan said that it was his understanding that Jobcentre staff had no prior notice about this week’s walkouts.
He said: “When I was alerted to this I put it on social media to let people know about it as soon as possible.
"In just a few hours there were thousands of hits on my post.
"Prior to my X post I emailed the Job Centre to try to get some answers.
"I was told that the closures on Monday and Tuesday were because of industrial action by security guards, and I was also told that Job Centre staff had no prior notice of this.
"The Job Centre staff moved appointments to virtual methods.
"My staff immediately contacted Inverclyde Council's Advice First team to alert them to possible welfare issues.
"I have been given assurances that no vulnerable claimants have been adversely affected.
"That is encouraging, but it remains a worry.
"And it is also worrying that this could have happened without proper communication between those involved, because it means that claimants were left in the dark.
"Other strike days appear to be planned, and of course, as with any industrial action, the strike action could escalate.”
Mr Cowan said that he recognised that all workers have a right to strike and added that better communication was essential to ensure his constituents were not disadvantaged by any further closures.
He said: "I hope there is a quick solution to the industrial dispute.
"But if not, Job Centre staff and those taking industrial action must communicate more effectively to make sure that my constituents are kept fully informed of the situation.
"Not being able to keep an appointment can have serious consequences under the present rules, and there must be no sanction of any sort that could affect any of my constituents as a result of this.
"Anyone who is worried by these events should contact my office for advice."
In response to the closures, A G4S spokesperson said: "We're disappointed that the GMB has refused to take our improved pay offer to their members.
“We are continuing to try to reach an amicable agreement and have implemented contingency plans to minimise disruption to our customer.”
A Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) spokesperson added: “DWP payments are not affected by the strike action by external G4S staff who work in our jobcentres and most sites remain open.
“If a site is closed, we are contacting customers if appointments need to be rescheduled or moved to alternative locations.”
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