The PCS civil service workers’ union is resisting plans to close down the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) at the Archway Tower in north London and relocate its 500 workers to the north and across London.
The PCS says that the move will have a devastating effect on the local economy and workers. The OPG “supports and promotes decision making for those who lack capacity”, including mentally and physically disabled people.
The majority of the OPG’s clients are in the south of England and are visited by officers. If the move goes through they would have to phone call centres in Nottingham or Birmingham, meaning a decline in the service provided.
Phil Cosgrove, the chair of the PCS Islington branch, said, “The Ministry of Justice, which the OPG is part of, has regional pay, so if staff are relocated workers will see their pay reduced.
“Relocation will also severely affect our black and Asian workforce.
“No senior civil servants are being made to relocate. They have spent millions on 102 Petty France, the offices of the Ministry of Justice, and now they want workers to pay the price.
“We are campaigning against this and believe we can get the government to change its mind.”
Email messages of support to PCS assistant branch secretary Austin Harney at [email protected]
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