Staff at Hereford and Worcester's Justice Centre's take strike action
The dispute is over a case management system
A dispute over a case management system has prompted members of the Public and Commercial Services union to take nine-day strike action.
The strike action will take place over seventy sites including sixty-five magistrates’ courts across England and Wales, including Hereford and Worcester’s Justice centres.
It has been reported that legal advisers and court associates are striking about the continuing issues with a digital case management system which was introduced two years ago. Members of the union are only able to take strike action if their workplace was using the common platform before 24 August 2022.
Court officials (HMCTS) say that the software is key to modernising the court process and prior to its launch was tested in three countries. However, a survey has revealed the software made tasks take longer, increase stress levels, and negatively impact staff’s work-life balance.