Civil servants went on national strike yesterday for fair pay as the PCS trade union mounted well supported picket lines outside government departments in Salford.
"Out of 450 members, no more than fifty have gone in" said Karen Dow from the Criminal Justice Department at Ralli Quays "It's a very good turnout. I've been speaking to any members who have gone in and every time you turn even one person away it makes you feel great. We've been saying to people 'Don't you think you deserve a pay rise?' and it really gets them thinking."
At nearby Trinity Bridge House, HMRC branch secretary Martin Ayres said the strike had had "tremendous support" with at least 80% turnout.
At the Civil Justice Centre, pickets allowed Salford's campaigners against cuts in transport for disabled adults through the lines as they were taking Salford Council to a judicial review. They said it was all part of the same fight for people's justice.
"I'm here supporting our members" said Eddie Garner, PCS Assistant Branch Secretary "We've had no pay rise and people are really, really struggling in our service and in other services such as health. We're here getting justice for the members but clearly this is also about austerity, the cuts and everything else. People feel totally overwhelmed with everything that's happening."
The impact of the strike was felt inside the Civil Justice Centre as clerks were flitting between courts trying to cope with gaps left by striking workers. Meanwhile outside, the PCS drumming band played and, at 11:30am a rally brought strikers from around Salford and Manchester to hear speakers rail against the Government and the lack of fair pay for public sector workers.
"Strike action is a last resort but the Government imposed a two year pay freeze in 2010 and in recent years has capped pay for all public sector workers at 1%" states the PCS "Since 2010 prices have risen by 16%. We have submitted a national pay claim asking for 5% or £1,200 for all civil service and related staff. We are demanding a fair settlement."
Photo by Steven Speed
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