Readers may recall the recent strikes taken by DWP workers and other civil servants, Kirkby Times ran an article and wished them luck. We also pointed out that a notice on the DWP office in Kirkby pointed out that the office was closed due to 'unforeseen circumstances', that's what managers tend to say to avoid the S-word (strike).

Closed due to 'industrial action

Last week, Kirkby DWP were on strike again for 2 days, but this time the notice was actually correct as it stated that the office was closed due to 'industrial action.

More Strikes

It looks like more strikes could be happening as yesterday, the 22nd of April 2004, Staff at a benefits office in Ayrshire have walked out after their boss was suspended because he would not carry out controversial appraisals. The appraisals could go towards deciding which workers are made redundant, as New Labour want to basically privatise the DWP and in Kirkby many former services carried out by the DWP are tendered out to private firms.

Suspended with no pay!

A DWP spokesman said its performance reviews were "fundamental" to the delivery of its services. The manager in Ayrshire has been suspended with no pay!, this is believed to be the first time that this has happened and will surely lead to DWP workers recognising that this is intimidation and standing together. The boss who stood up to the lunatic head bosses of the DWP is an example to all managers of benefit offices etc. As an unemployed man, I would like to applaud this selfless act of solidarity.

Mc Jobs and Unrest.

England is seeing an increasing amount of unrest amongst workers. We are told that we have record levels of employment, but we all know the figures are being fiddled. Many unemployed people are not counted in the unemployment figures, and a great deal of the work we are seeing is basically Mickey Mouse training courses and 'Mc Jobs' which are poorly paid non unionised manual labouring jobs. Skilled workers are imported. After all, why train us when it costs money? England is in a mess and recent news stories alert us all as to the slippery slope we are on. Next time you see workers out on strike, remember they are carrying on an English tradition which has enabled us to actually make sure working class people have some collective bargaining strength.