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Extra hours at Job Centre
JOB Centre Plus staff in Merseyside are working overtime because of the huge increase in unemployment.
Due to a backlog in cases and a rolling increase of applications for Job Seeker’s Allowance, many staff are being asked to work on Saturdays, and this could become a more permanent feature if the recession deepens.
Regional Officer for the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), Simon Swanick, said: “Over the last two weeks and especially the last weekend, we have seen more and more overtime being offered.
“They are taking on 6,000 more staff nationwide and I cannot see a reduction in overtime in the near future.
“Our members are glad to get extra hours, because obviously extra money at a time like this is welcome.
“However, if they had not laid off so many staff and closed offices when there were signs of a downturn a year ago, this would not have been necessary.
“They spent a lot of money doing this and in our opinion it was very short-sighted.”
