Staff stage walkout over threat

A benefits office has closed after a member of staff is threatened

A jobs and benefits office in County Antrim has had to close after a member of staff received a threat from loyalist paramilitaries.

Members of the Nipsa trade union voted to stage a walkout at the centre in Newtownabbey after the employee was threatened while at work on Wednesday.

The union has called on local politicians to condemn the incident.

Union official Tony McMullan said the office would remain closed until further notice.

Mr McMullan said staff at the centre were extremely angry that one of their colleagues had been threatened in such a "despicable manner".

"Our members working in the jobs and benefits office only want to provide a high-class level of service to the public in the local area," he said.

'Outrage'

"I call upon local political leaders to join with Nipsa in expressing their outrage that a public servant could be intimidated in such a cowardly fashion."

He also said that the organisation, or individual, behind the threat should withdraw it immediately so staff at the office could return to work.

Nipsa General Secretary John Corey described the threat as "appalling".

"I commend the action taken by the staff in Newtownabbey in support of their colleague," he said.

"This reflects the very deep sense of anger and outrage all staff feel against this threat being made."

Minister for Employment and Learning Barry Gardiner said he "unreservedly condemned" the threat.

"The management in the department, in co-operation with the PSNI, will do all it can to ensure the safety of its staff," he added.

The office is to remain closed for the rest of this week.

A spokesperson for the Social Security Agency said the closure would not affect the benefits of anyone supposed to sign-on on Thursday or Friday.

Nipsa has said its members will keep the situation under review and staff will reconsider their position again on Monday.