STRIKE CAUSES BENEFIT CHAOS
ANGRY residents were forced to apply for crisis loans as strikes crippled public services across the region.
Some people were unable to access benefits as hundreds of protesting civil servants walked out yesterday.
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ACTION: Hanley Revenue & Customs employees, from left, Kevin Cartlidge, Ann Wright, Angela Corke and Andy Gething on strike yesterday. Picture: Cara Edgington
Further disruption is expected today at job centres, tax offices, driving test centres and courts as a result of a 48-hour strike against changes to redundancy packages.
The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union walkout is the biggest outbreak of industrial unrest in the service since 1987.
And union leaders say it is a response to the Government slashing up to a third off entitlements under the civil service compensation scheme for workers facing redundancy.
They say it will mean employees losing tens of thousands of pounds if they are forced out of a job.
The Government is looking to save £500 million through the changes.
However, residents queuing outside Hanley's Jobcentre Plus yesterday were angry about the lack of notice about the strike.
Single mother Claire Herriman was told her income support was not available.
The 36-year-old, from Baddeley Green, said: "I spent an hour-and-a-half on the phone trying to get money sorted.
"In the end they told me to come for a crisis loan."
Zoe Withers, of Hanley, had a benefits interview postponed.
The 19-year-old said: "Everyone has been coming out saying they can't sign on and have applied for crisis loans."
Andy Gething, union representative for Hanley's Revenue & Customs (HMRC) office, yesterday picketed the building with about 10 colleagues.
The 47-year-old said 187 of about 250 workers at Blackburn House, Old Hall Street, had walked out.
He said: "We are being made to pay for the consequences of the financial crisis."
Peter Rofe, PCS representative for the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) in North Staffordshire, said 488 out of 650 members took part.
He said: "We know job cuts are on the cards and the Government is trying to do it as cheaply as possible."
Up to 270,000 workers are expected to take part in the industrial action nationwide.
PCS ballot results found 63.4 per cent of union members backed the action.
An HMRC spokesman advised customers to delay until Wednesday, as they may have to wait longer than usual in inquiry centres.
A DWP spokesman said all job centres were open and 98 per cent of customers had received automated payments.
52 Comments
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by Anon, Staffs
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 9:49PM
“I can't believe they are giving these scroungers crisis loans, again its the taxpayers who are paying for them to go out get drunk or stoned or both, Britain is a joke why should i go to work to pay for these morons, get jobs or do something productive like college get a career, Gordon Brown has a lot to answer for”
by SID, madeley
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 11:26AM
“i have just drew all my taxpayers (benefits) out the bank. im on way crewe in bit get blind drunk all day. cheers you mugs at work arrhhhhhhhh”
by Frank, Bridgend
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 9:37PM
“After wading through this lot there is only one conclusion! Brittain is DOOMED, get out while you can, there is surely NO HOPE HERE!”
by Mr Happy, Living the Dream
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 8:35PM
“You only get one life.
Why would anyone choose it living on benefits is beyond me. I have worked hard, saved/ invested and now reap the rewards. A nice house / cars / holidays for my family, so to all you are on benefits through choice " Glad to see you are Living the Dream"....”
by karl, stoke
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 7:42PM
“the thing is, there are too many people taking the !*#! out of the system and have been for so many years. These people deserve all the backlash that people are giving. We've just gone through a recession and decent people have lost their jobs and are struggling. Now for the job centre staff to go on strike because their jobs are at risk, is outstanding. they have created this by allowing the work shy dossers to abuse the system for so long and treat the decent claimants with little content. Make them all redundant and let them feel the lack of help on the table. In this day and age, to have a job is lucky and these strikers should realise that. I have no sympathy for them”
by samantha, stoke
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 7:37PM
“just for you sean longton i did work and have still got a job as a leavel 2 care assistant but due to me being pregnant an only have a week left im on leave but seen as i have only worked at my care home for 14 weeks i dont qulifiy for paid leave and with my husband losing his job 4 weeks ago we have had to go on benifit so if you have so much time on your hands you should go collage as i have been there and done 1 year retaking maths and english just so i could take health an social care for 2 years”
by bone, baddeley green
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 7:10PM
“@ nick,you try living on £234 a fortnight ,the social only pay our rent, council tax etc,i have to pay sky,phone ,car its not easy we only get out 2 a week ,as baby sitters cost a fortune”
by Nick, Stoke
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 6:59PM
“Get a job you spongers!!!!!! sick of paying for you all.”
by stokiemart, Stoke
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 6:50PM
“Ron, Blythe Bridge- , agreed Ron, I take what you say on board. However, the figures I used were for tax evasion not tax avoidance. Heaven knows how much tax is avoided in the UK. There are plenty of loop holes in the tax system, most of which are exploited by the rich. It's a moot point whether the tax avoided in many such circumstances is indeed 'hard-earned'. Indeed, the alleged 'socially useless' activities of many bankers is something I would not dare to comment on, after all, none of us wish to see blind un-evidenced prejudice and unenlightened popularism on forums such as this do we? ;-)”
by Jason Smith, Seattle, Washington, USA
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 6:45PM
“I left Stoke-on-Trent and England last January for a new start in America. There are far too many Benefit cheats in Stoke-on-Trent and England. I worked hard for my money when I lived in Stoke and my taxes paid for any young mother who had a child to avoid work or any drunk getting the Government to pay for their drink everyday. The people who are striking, I don't blame them. Typical example of England and the way they give to cheats and take away from workers. All Benefits cheats I am smiling at your distress. Now before I get people complaining about my comments. My heart goes out to the honest people who try their best for there children and are suffering because of the strike!”