Hundreds of PCS union staff expected to strike today
Hundreds of public sector workers in Kent - from
immigration officers to driving instructors - have gone on strike
today in a row over pay.
Members of the Public and Commercial Services Union
(PCS) agreed to a half-day walk-out.
They are calling for a 5% pay rise for all civil servants
this year.
Among them was Roy Muller, the PCS rep at Canterbury Crown
Court.
Mr Muller, pictured right, said: "One of the sad facts of
this strike is that so many of our members support the Budget day
action, but so few can even afford to take the day off - that's how
tough times have become.
"This government promised there would be no cuts to frontline
staff, but all we have seen over the past few years are hundreds of
thousands of people losing their jobs and essential services
cut.
"Add to that that not only are there no pay rises but
incremental rises, which we are entitled to, have not been
forthcoming.
"In these austere times we all have to tighten our belts... but
what this government is doing has become a tourniquet strangling
the life blood out of the economy."
Up to 250,000 workers could go on strike nationwide,
the union claims.
It is the first of two planned days of action, with the second
pencilled in for April 5.
19/03/13
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