The future of around 100 Kirkcaldy jobs is uncertain after conflicting reports emerged over the future of the town’s Department of Work and Pensions office.
The PCS union claims that the government agency will remain open in the town for the foreseeable future after receiving assurances from local management.
That comes despite the DWP announcing yesterday that the Kirkcaldy site will close before 2023 as part of a huge reduction of its estate.
Brian Nairn, secretary for the Fife branch of the PCS, stated that the DWP had five years left on its lease at the Victoria Road site and that he hoped the agency would at least fulfil that obligation.
“We will be pushing for that but we are receiving mixed messages and will require further clarification,” he said.
“Opportunities do come up for staff redeployment but the work they are doing has a finite timeline on it.”
Mr Nairn added: “We will definitely be fighting to keep the Kirkcaldy office open.”
The mass closure programme by the DWP will see 20 offices close by March of next year with a further five, including Kirkcaldy, said to be axed by no later than 2023.
Lynn Henderson, PCS National Officer said: “We utterly condemn the DWP for proceeding with these office closures.
“While we welcome the handful of decisions not to close sites it is clear that the DWP intends to force through the vast majority, putting our members’ jobs at risk and devastating the services we provide.”
