Talk:UK Jobcentre call centre staff on 48-hour strike

Original reporting

 * 1) Received email notification from Williams about the strike late yesterday evening; assuming sent to Scoop.
 * 2) Called and spoke on phone ~1230UTC for about 30 minutes; have extensive written notes.

--Brian McNeil / talk 13:31, 20 January 2011 (UTC)


 * 1) Contacted the DWP Press office in London, spoke to an Elise; don't have any sort of formal press release on this, simply a statement which I'm going to get by email. --Brian McNeil / talk 14:02, 20 January 2011 (UTC)
 * Over 20 minutes later, still not got their statement; despite spelling out my email address phonetically. --Brian McNeil / talk 14:22, 20 January 2011 (UTC)
 * I'm going to have a whinge at ministers@dwp.gsi.gov.uk if this damn library PC stops screwing with my webmail session. --Brian McNeil / talk 14:25, 20 January 2011 (UTC)


 * Emailed ministers@dwp.gsi.gov.uk to complain Press Office didn't respond. C'mon, I spelt out my email phonetically. Scoop on CC, so someone can back up I'm trying to get the other side's version of the story. --Brian McNeil / talk 15:28, 20 January 2011 (UTC)
 * The 'near useless' statement from the DWP has been forwarded to scoop, along with my slightly sarcastic request for a more personalised response. I will keep pushing for updates from the LibCon coalition, but looks like this will be deferred until tomorrow publish-wise. Please, please let me know ASAP if there's issues might delay publication when I sub for review. --Brian McNeil / talk 17:41, 20 January 2011 (UTC)
 * Brian, any chance you can add me to Scoop? I have been of that for quite a while now :) Brian | (Talk) | New Zealand Portal 00:06, 22 January 2011 (UTC)

DWP "statement"
> From: � Simpson Elise DWP PO COMMS PRESS OFFICE�

> Sent:�� 20 January 2011 14:00

> Subject:������� Quote you requested

> A DWP spokesperson said:

> "We are disappointed that some staff, only 21% across the centres, have voted to take industrial action. No jobs will be at risk through these changes. The contact centre staff at DWP will continue to receive good terms of employment including generous holidays.

“We are modernising our telephone and benefit processing service. There will be no change to the way benefits are paid, however it will mean that customers will get a better service than at present when they phone with a benefit enquiry."

Elise Simpson


 * Above is statement as-provided by DWP. Zero followup to additional queries. --Brian McNeil / talk 21:23, 21 January 2011 (UTC)