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Dept for Work and Pensions

Answer

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will direct the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus to consent to referring the current dispute with the Public and Commercial Services Union to ACAS for arbitration. [33531] Sir Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if the PCS Union has agreed to refer the dispute over safety at work in the Benefits Agency and jobcentres to arbitration; and what the view is of Her Majesty's Government on this process. [32872] Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether the recent dispute between the Public and Commercial Services Union and the Benefits Agency over screening in benefits offices will be referred to ACAS; and if he will make a statement. [32763] John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for what reason in the course of the industrial dispute over safety in Jobcentre Plus the involvement of ACAS has been specifically excluded as a means to bring this dispute to a resolution. [40503] Mr. Nicholas Brown: [holding answers 5 and 6 February 2002]: While conciliation and arbitration can be of value, it would not be appropriate in this instance to refer the current dispute to ACAS as the Public and Commercial Services Union has proposed. The fundamental principles underpinning the delivery of Jobcentre Plus are at the heart of the welfare modernisation and customer service improvement to which the Government are committed. They are not ones about which it is appropriate to seek arbitration.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

40503; 382 c421W;382 c419W

Session

2001-02

Subjects

Arbitration ACAS Industrial disputes Jobcentre Plus Staff Working conditions Security Safety Public and Commercial Services Union

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk