Teesside Jobcentre security guards stage new strikes in row over pay
They are walking out until Sunday
G4S security guards in Middlesbrough that work in the jobcentre are on strike again all this week in a long-running dispute over pay.
Members of the GMB and the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union are walking out until Sunday.
The GMB said the workers are angry that 90 percent of the guards are paid just the minimum wage.
National officer Eamon O'Hearn said: "Under the Conservative Government, DWP and G4S seemed happy to allow jobcentres to close and security guards to go hungry.
"But things have changed and these workers will not give up their fight.
"If G4S won't do the decent thing, it's up to the DWP to step in and end this long-running dispute."
A G4S spokesman said: "Our dedicated security colleagues do a great job and support an essential public service, sometimes in difficult circumstances. The majority of our staff have not been on strike.
"We urge the GMB to present our offer to our employees, which is above minimum wage and inflation. We want to give our staff a pay rise and are keen to bring this dispute to an amicable conclusion."
A DWP spokeman said: "Benefit, State Pension and other DWP payments will not be affected by the proposed strike action by external G4S staff who work in our Job Centres.
"People who rely on that support will continue to receive it. Our telephony services will not be affected. Job centres will remain open where it is safe to do so.
"In any instances where a jobcentre might have to close, we will contact customers if appointments need to be rescheduled and will signpost urgent appointments to alternative locations."