DWP security staff in the GMB and PCS unions, striking over pay against G4S bosses, are once again out on picket lines around the country from 15-19 July
In Plymouth, Phil Coker told Ryan Aldred: “G4S have employed staff in an attempt to break the strike. It’s only taken four and a half weeks for those new staff to realise the shortcomings of G4S as an employer, and for them to seek to join a union for protection, as they struggle to get their expenses paid.
“We are very frustrated that the mainstream media is reporting offers from G4S, when their only real offer has already been rejected. There’s not been a word from them since, as they refuse to come to the negotiating table. We will not stop our fight for better pay. No one should be attacked or spat on for minimum wage. We welcome our new members to the picket line.”
Iain Dalton reports the pickets outside Southern House Jobcentre in east Leeds also said that the strike has been growing in strength. More workers are joining the unions. It was reported that Park Place, the main job centre in Leeds, was totally closed during part of the previous strike action, due to new guards joining the strike.
There was some discussion about what the GMB and PCS unions should call on the new government to do. This included demanding that security guards be brought back in-house.
Jordan Stratton reports that Leicester Socialist Party members went down to Charles Street Jobcentre. A number of pickets were heading down to London on Wednesday to join the mass rally and march to DWP and G4S headquarters.
