Up to 1,000 jobs are hanging in the balance as two further Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) commercial offices in Sheffield are to close their doors for good as part of a major Government shake-up.
Staff working at the sites-Porterbrook House, off Ecclesall Road and Steel City House-learned of the change following last month’s announcement that the DWP’s commercial offices on Mayfield Court, West Street, will also shut.
Staff have been informed that 3,000 of the DWP’s 10,000 corporate jobs across the county will go over the next four years. Around a fifth of those jobs are based in Sheffield. Some staff in Sheffield have already been dispatched elsewhere.
The Public and Commercial Services trade union, which represents civil servants, believes that between 500 and 1,000 jobs in Sheffield could be cut and has warned of a ballot for industrial action if there are any compulsory redundancies.
DWP staff were informed of the further commercial office closures by Sheffield estate rationalisation implementation lead, Dave Murden, who informed them the department is reducing its presence in Sheffield to ‘two core bases’.
Just Kings Court, Hanover Way and Rockingham House on West Street will remain.
Hundreds of people are based in the commercial property buildings which are to close.
PCS national officer for the DWP, Martin John said: “We are currently preparing to ballot our members on industrial action if there are any compulsory redundancies. We are very concerned about the extent of the loss of managerial jobs.”
Mr John said some staff from the offices which are closing will be accommodated at the remaining bases but that he believes the amount of redundancies in Sheffield could be between 500 and 1,000.
A spokeswoman for the Department for Work and Pensions said: “It is not true that staff in Sheffield are losing their jobs. Nationally we are reducing corporate posts but we do not expect any compulsory redundancies from Sheffield and staff will be able to take up other posts, mainly within Sheffield city.”
