Protest against closure of Disability Benefits Centre

Article published: Wednesday, May 20th 2009

Manchester Disability Centre has been threatened with closure, drawing an angry reaction from staff and the Public and Commercial Services Union.

Manchester Disability Centre has been threatened with closure, drawing an angry reaction from staff and the Public and Commercial Services Union. Management have cited the forthcoming expiry of the lease in the Centre’s offices as the reason, and due to the good performance of the centre wish to disperse the staff to Jobcentreplus branches around Greater Manchester. Those unable to travel the extra distance to the Jobcentreplus branches are under threat of compulsory redundancies.

The staff are disputing the decision, claiming that the lease could be renewed, and that it is ludicrous to close an office because it is performing well. Union representatives were not consulted about the decision, and are campaigning to oppose the closure. In a statement, they’ve said, Manchester DBC provides a vital service to some of the most vulnerable members of society. It performs well because the staff are dedicated and hard working and because people work together despite the pressures put on them by management. The branch will do everything we can to fight this closure.

In 2004, the government axed 30,000 jobs at the department of work and pensions and now appears to be making further cutbacks to cope with the recession.

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