Further Industrial Action Social Security Agency

9 March 2004
FURTHER INDUSTRIAL ACTION SOCIAL SECURITY AGENCY
The Department for Social Development has expressed dismay at the further industrial action in the Social Security Agency announced by NIPSA.

A spokesman said: "Last week the Department expressed its concern at the disproportionate targeting of social security operations by NIPSA and the damage, which this was doing.

"NIPSA has now announced yet more action, this time in Foyle and Lisnagelvin offices which will be closed all next week commencing 15 March and in the Newtownabbey office which will be closed from 16-19 March.

The spokesman said: "We are dismayed that NIPSA has not listened to our concerns about the impact of these strikes on the most vulnerable in the community. This is further evidence of the deliberate targeting of vital social security operations and it is absolutely regrettable. We will do the best that we can to minimise the impact on the public but we cannot guarantee the service."
NOTES TO EDITORS:

Since the industrial action by NIPSA started in December the Social Security Agency will have suffered 36 days of full stoppages of work. The total for the rest of NICS put together amounts to about 40 days.

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