By Laurie Watson

MORE THAN 300 civil servants at benefit offices and JobCentres across Tayside will continue strike action today as the bitter row over job cuts rages on.

Across the country yesterday, the Public Commercial Services union (PCS) said 90,000 workers had walked out as they began a 48-hour strike in a bid to force the closure of JobCentres, benefits offices and pension offices.

Tayside PCS branch secretary Ali Arnott applauded the hundreds of civil servants in the region who had refused to cross the picket line, and confirmed he expected a similar show of strength today.

“There were more than 300 civil servants taking part in today’s industrial action,” he said.

“I would expect union members to stage a similar turnout tomorrow with no change in service provision at DWP offices in the region.”

Mr Arnott said offices in Tayside had only been able to offer a “very limited service.”

“These days management claim if they can have three or four bodies in the building they can call themselves open for business,” he said.

“Although I’m sure the public would agree they are not receiving an adequate level of service during the strike.”

The walkout by civil service employees follows a 48-hour strike in January but more action has been deemed necessary following the collapse of talks between union officials and the Government at Easter.

Mr Arnott said members’ feelings were running particularly high after a Westminster select committee described changes in DWP managerial procedure as a “catastrophic failure.”

“I think we are in danger of entering a very bitter phase of proceedings,” he warned.

“There have been 18,000 job losses already, with a further 30,000 expected by 2008. The findings of the Westminster select committee provided further evidence that many of our complaints and concerns are correct.

“The committee said poor staff planning and computer problems at JobCentres had led to a catastrophic failure in service to our customers.”

Mr Arnott said there appeared to be an acceptance of blame culture from DWP management, with senior figures content to ignore the obvious shortfalls of widespread job cuts.

“We require a serious change in attitude and I think that would require the Government to step in, otherwise I’m afraid we could see industrial action escalate in the weeks and months ahead,” he warned.

However, a DWP spokesman said they had contingency plans in place for the duration of the industrial action and described the latest round of strikes as “disappointing.”

“We are committed and determined to deliver our services to the public,” he said.

“If we are going to meet our commitment to deliver the highest quality of service to our customers it is vital we push ahead with our modernisation programme.”

The JobCentre in Perth High Street remained open yesterday despite the strike, although a sign in the window said that “due to exceptional circumstances” a limited service was being offered.