Ministers have allowed a dispute over basic safety at work to escalate

Mark Serwotka PCS

The union claims there are three violent incidents in Jobcentres and benefit offices every week.

Of 1,670 offices potentially affected by the strike, 55 were closed with 26% of staff supporting the call to take industrial action on Monday, the Department for Work and Pensions said.

More offices were open and more people at work compared to December's two-day strike, a DWP spokesman added.

Work and Pensions Secretary Alistair Darling said: "We are determined to get on with the business of delivering the improved service that the public want - it is time to end this futile dispute."

More than 180,000 working days have now been lost, although the union has a mandate from its members for up to five days of strikes every month.

The ballot followed staff protests after the stabbing of a security guard in an east London benefits office in November.

When the office re-opened, staff refused to continue working.

Less formality

Removal of screens began in 49 centres in October, as part of the government's decision to merge job centres and benefits offices into one service called Jobcentre Plus.

Ministers want a less formal atmosphere and are adamant they will press ahead.

But about 3,000 civil servants in pilot areas walked out in November in protest at the changes. A DWP spokesman said less than 750 staff were involved in the current action.

Mark Serwotka, the union's general secretary elect, said: "Government ministers and Jobcentre Plus management have ignored genuine staff concerns and allowed a dispute over basic safety at work to escalate into the biggest civil service industrial action in 15 years."

And Citizen's Advice Bureaux have said there is evidence of hardship among some affected claimants.