Job Centre closures this week amid benefits warning over strike action

Security guards at Job Centres across the country are set to begin a week-long strike on Monday, which could result in some closures. The GMB union has announced that approximately 1,500 of its members employed by security firm G4S will participate in the action due to ongoing pay disputes.

The union highlighted that 90% of these guards receive only the minimum wage. GMB national officer Eamon O'Hearn commented: "If the Department for Work and Pensions and G4S want to end this dispute, make sure these guards are paid enough to live on."

He further added, "G4S has been handed millions by the Government, yet our members can barely afford to feed their families. The work they do is hard; they are attacked with alarming regularity just for doing their job. The least they expect is to be paid a proper wage."

In response, a spokesperson for G4S stated: "Our dedicated security colleagues do a great job, sometimes in difficult circumstances. We urge the GMB to present our offer to our employees, which is both above minimum wage and inflation. We are keen to bring this dispute to an amicable conclusion.", reports Nottinghamshire Live.

They also assured, "Our contingency plans, agreed in partnership with DWP, have proved highly effective in maintaining a full service, and we continue to adapt them to ensure the safety of DWP locations, employees and the service users."

The industrial action is scheduled to last until Saturday. G4S has put forward a pay offer that includes a 6.5% increase from April 2023, followed by an average rise of 9.3% from December 2023 to April 2024.

A spokesperson commented: "This is our best and last offer put to the GMB in April 2024 and the union has refused to put it to a vote by its members. Once agreed all backdated pay would be paid to our employees."

"Since 2022, G4S has made 12 pay offers and the GMB has taken only two to a ballot."

The Department for Work and Pensions has assured that benefit payments and telephone services will remain unaffected by the strike action. Job Centres will continue to operate where possible.

"In any instances where a Job Centre might have to close, we will contact customers if appointments need to be rescheduled and will signpost urgent appointments to alternative locations," the department explained.