VITAL services for victims of asbestos-related diseases could be cut - if the proposed closure of a benefits office building goes ahead.
The Department for Work and Pensions wishes to close Barrow's Phoenix House by March 2018 amid budget cuts.
The Public and Commercial Services Union, together with local residents, are rallying against the plans, which would mean a loss of more than 70 civil service jobs.
Local staff have been providing a vital and compassionate service from Phoenix House for many years, helping victims of asbestos-related diseases claim compensation for their illness and ensuring sufferers and their families can have peace of mind at the most difficult of times.
PCS Union Cumbria branch secretary, Kris Houghton said: "The benefit that we deal with here is for people with asbestos related illnesses. We are the only office in the country which deals with this so if we close then all the experience we have built up over the years is going to be lost."
The service provided is particularly pertinent to Barrow, with its long shipbuilding heritage and, tragically, an above national average diagnosis of such asbestos-related illnesses.
Save Phoenix House - Keep Jobs in Barrow - Retain Asbestos Diseas... https://t.co/Ub28f9smyd so close to 1000 sigs!
— PCS_Cumbria (@PCS_Cumbria) February 20, 2017
The final decision to close the office has yet to be made and the Cumbria branch of the PCS Union and its members strongly oppose the closure and will be campaigning for every working man, woman and family member who has been affected by asbestos related industrial disease, to keep knowledge and jobs in Barrow.
There has been strong opposition to the proposed closure from asbestos charities, Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock, and from local residents.
A petition in support of keeping Phoenix House open has already reached more than 1,000 signatures, with many local businesses displaying the petition in their shops and offices.
In opposition to the proposed closure, the PCS Union have planned two public events in Barrow town centre.
The first will be a street stall on February 25 at the Spirit of Barrow statue, Portland Walk, from 11am to 3 pm.
The second will be a demonstration and rally which will take place on March 11, starting at the Spirit of Barrow statue and finishing at Barrow Town Hall where a public address will take place.
Mr Houghton added: "I would encourage anyone in the local area to come out and support the campaign to keep these jobs in Barrow."
An online petition supporting the campaign can be signed on Change.org at https://goo.gl/QAwymJ
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