4 February 2004
DEPARTMENT MOVES TO PROTECT CUSTOMER SERVICES
The Department for Social Development today took steps to protect services to the public in the face of an escalation of the industrial action by NIPSA members. The Department has informed its staff, and the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance trade union, that it will take action against any staff member who will not undertake normal duties.
A spokesperson for the Department said:
"The public we serve are often the most vulnerable groups and individuals in our society and they depend heavily on the support and services provided by staff from this Department.
"This industrial action, which has been ongoing for eight weeks, has begun to impact significantly on services, and we would ask our staff to think carefully before continuing to participate in this industrial action.
"We are mindful of the impact which the dispute has been having on all staff, those engaged in action and those working normally, and their managers who have been trying to balance all of the conflicting priorities. However, the continuing disruption to our services is no longer acceptable. It reduces our ability to deliver services to our customers and puts a burden on those staff that continue to work normally.
"Until this week our services have, for the most part, been protected. However, the accumulated impact over the past eight weeks has been progressively damaging. Throughout the period the Department's response has been measured and cautious.
"Unfortunately, we now find ourselves forced into a position where we must consider taking action, including sending home without pay any officer who will not carry out normal duties."
Addressing the issue of services to customers who find themselves in crisis during the industrial action, the spokesperson said: "We will continue to provide services normally, but where services are disrupted then the Department will make arrangements to inform the public about emergency measures that have been put in place."
On the subject of protecting jobs, the spokesperson said: " A proportion of the work affected by the industrial action is carried out on behalf of Government Departments in GB. This has meant a reduction in the services to sections of the public in GB and could affect the ability of Northern Ireland to attract any such work in the future."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- A Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance bulletin instructed its members not to answer any telephone calls as a support measure to those in ‘telephony services’ who had gone on strike. This has impacted negatively on the customer services offered by the Department for Social Development
- The Belfast Benefits Centre provides social security back office services to Job Centre Plus in London. The Child Support Agency, Belfast provides services to customers in the east of England.
Click here to print this press release.
