A FURTHER strike is threatened by Benefits Agency staff - but bosses have branded the picketers actions 'futile'.

Staff in the town's benefits offices, at Hilden House, Sankey Street, were again set to strike next Monday and Tuesday as the debate over the removal of security screens in offices rumbles on.

Proposals by the Department for Work and Pensions aim to promote open office environments at its new Jobcentre Plus sites.

Sarah Daniel, Public and Commercial Services Union representative, said: "No positive moves or dialogue have been entered into since the last strike action in December.

"Union members have even voiced the possibility of withdrawing goodwill or implementing an overtime ban in opposition to these radical new moves.

"We're all in favour of open environments in job centres. But even with these so-called pilot schemes, we have been told about staff being abused and having to deal with aggressive complaints.

Union officials hope to meet MP Helen Southworth to discuss their concerns.

But John Lees, spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions, said: "This is an increasingly futile dispute by the union.

Only a third of staff affected by the moves took part in December's strike, he claimed.

"We have reasonable proposals on the table and they have been there for months," he said.

Mr Lees said the effect on customers would be 'minimal'.