BARNSLEY’s magistrates court, tax office and job centre will all be hit by an all out one day civil service strike next week.
Hundreds of the town’s civil servants are abandoning their posts on Wednesday in protest over the threat of government cuts and redundancies.
The timing is particularly bad for business people as it is the last day they can submit self assessment tax forms without having to pay a penalty.
The action, which will be mirrored across the country, is being taken by Public and Commercial Services union and its members make up about 90 per cent of Barnsley’s civil service.
In total it is expected that at least 750 people will join the strike, which will be followed by a two week ban on overtime.
At Barnsley Magistrates’ PCS members include ushers and those in clerical roles, a court spokesman said it will be running a limited service.
Only two out of the six courts will be sitting and a number of defendants whose cases are listed for Wednesday have already been sent letters telling them their appearances will be rearranged.
There are about 300 Department of Work and Pensions staff at Cooper House and John Rideal House who will not be reporting for duty.
Branch secretary Leslie Salt says it is likely that anyone who needs to make an over the counter collection of benefits or seek advice will be unable to do so. Branch organiser Lucy Donald added: “There will only be a skeleton staff on and the effect will be dramatic.” • Full story in this week's Chronicle.
