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From The Socialist newspaper, 3 July 2004
Civil Service Jobs Massacre
ALL STAFF in the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) were called into special meetings on 29 June. This was as Secretary of State Andrew Smith made a statement in the Commons, outlining massive job cuts in the Department.
These include closing the pensions centres in Liverpool and York, which only opened three years ago. Six other pensions centres will be changed to doing JobCentre Plus work.
All benefit processing, which is normally done locally, will be centralised. There are 670 benefit processing offices now, they will be reduced to 100 by 2008.
A PCS rep told the socialist:
"We're being told the DWP will be a 'leaner' organisation, with fewer, better-rewarded staff. But it really just means huge job cuts.
"Most of the staff are stunned. People knew there would be some cuts but they thought it would be done in an orderly way, by natural wastage. But they've just announced these closures and transfers, which will affect every benefit including pensions and incapacity benefit. The most vulnerable in society will be hit by this.
"There's been no consultation with the union and locally the PCS reps are as stunned as the rest of the workforce.
"We don't know any more details, just that there will be massive job cuts."
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The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
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In The Socialist 3 July 2004:
New Labour Privatising By Choice
Schools Campaign Challenges Labour
Socialism 2004: "A Really Brilliant Weekend"
International socialist news and analysis
Iraq: The Sovereignty Of Puppets
Ireland Greets Bush - But With Protests
Exclusive interview with Brazilian trade unionist
Workplace news and events
Encouraging Result for Martin Powell-Davies
Tube Workers Fight To Defend Jobs And Conditions
Unison conference: Wrong Answers To Wrong Questions!
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