VIDEO: Public sector workers across Stoke-on-Trent hold strike
AROUND 850 public sector workers across the city downed tools to join a Budget Day strike in protest at cuts to pay and conditions.
The strike, timed to coincide with yesterday's budget announcement of a further £2.5 billion spending cuts across most Government departments, marks the start of a three-month programme of action called by the Public and Commercial Services Union.
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BUDGET DAY: Members of the Public and Commercial Services Union on strike at Albion Square in Hanley. Picture: Phil Radcliffe
Striker Jane Fowler, aged 45, of Leek, who works at Hanley Job Centre, said: "I've worked for the department for 26-years and over the past few years we have received what amounts to a massive pay cut.
"It is getting more difficult to cope and it is not us who caused the problem, so I don't think we should have to suffer.
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"We have lost a lot of staff, but demand is higher and we suffer more problems. We get abused on a regular basis, but you can understand people's frustration.
"My husband has just been made redundant as well, so we are making cut backs at home where we can, and holidays are a thing of the past, but that's the situation most of us are in."
Joanne Edwards, aged 41, of Tunstall, who works for the Department of Work and Pensions, said: "The Government can't keep doing what it is are doing to people who provide services to the public who desperately need them.
"It is harder and harder for people to access our services. There's very little face time anymore.
"I'm a single parent, I can't afford to lose a day's pay to go on strike, but I am here because I am losing so much every month from my pay because of having to contribute more to my pension.
"I rely on working tax credits to make a living wage, because I don't take home enough money to live on."
Dave Machin, aged 53, of Burslem, who works for the DWP, said: "I've worked for the department for 12-years and in that time conditions have deteriorated.
"It just seems that all the changes and all the cuts being introduced by the Government make it harder for us to serve the public."
Dozens of union members joined other anti-cuts campaigners at a rally outside Hanley Benefit Centre, in Albion Square, Hanley.
Picket lines were also set up outside job centres in Hanley, Newcastle and Kidsgrove, and at the Blackburn House tax office, in Hanley.
Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court was also closed due to the industrial action.
The PCS is angry about the Government's refusal to negotiate over a series of public service cuts, including to terms and conditions and pensions.
The union says a pay freeze has seen public sector wages fall well below equivalent posts in the private sector.
The union has called for a minimum pay rise of five per cent, or £1,200, for all civil servants this year, and for no cuts to terms and conditions, and no increase in pension contributions.
PCS North Staffordshire branch secretary Peter Rofe – who led the picket outside the Department of Working pensions in Albion Square, Hanley, – said around 85 per cent of the city's estimated 1,000 union members joined the strike.
Mr Rofe added: "Of course we regret any disruption to public services but we feel we were left with no choice.
"We have written to the Government several times and they refuse to respond to us. The public sector work very hard but are taking a real hit. The average wage of a DWP worker for example is £18,000.
"I think people realise the real battle is with the Government, not the PCS, because the end result will be a lower quality of service that we are able to offer.
"I'm not sure people realise the extent of the changes the Government want to make to public sector services."
7 Comments
by Johntoe
Friday, March 22 2013, 9:11PM
“Phew, I was getting worried there, took ya long enough, I thought I was getting no red arrows, would've lost my bet, if it had gone for 24 hours, thanks for the 5er,”
by Johntoe
Friday, March 22 2013, 1:38PM
“@ pj123
WELL,.. that's a first, not only am I being lectured in a thread I haven't even posted in, but you are also responding to a point I haven't even made!!!
SERIOUSLY have a word with yourself,
Labour MAY WELL be "as much" to blame,
But, I believe they have been out of office for almost 3 years now, so when does it become the Tories fault? have things improved at all for anyone since they won the elctio.... since they got voted in to powe..... since they came to office,?
Except the wealthy of course ,. THEY are getting a massive income BOOST, at the beginning of April,.... remind me who was it that caused the global economic crisis again?... was it the British Labour government? was it the British low paid? was it the British welfare dependants? I seem to remember it being to do with he greedy fat cat bankers and hedge fund gamblers taking massive risks with money that didn't belong to them,
Still, while Cameron and Osborne get the herd to blame those at the bottom,
they 'bung' those at the top more money as a 'reward' for getting us into this mess,
and then we have people coming on internet sites blaming their fellow workers and those on benefits, (As they have been conditioned to do,)
I have never worked in the public sector in my entire 60 years on this planet, never, not once,
But I wholeheartedly support the RIGHT of any worker regardless of which "sector" they belong to (cause I don't fall for the Tories divide and rule propaganda) to, after a democratic ballot of the membership has been taken, Then exercise their right to withdraw their labour,
if people chose not to vote... then they have no cause to complain at the outcome of that vote afterwards,
the very best of luck to any workforce that accepts the result of a democratic ballot ,
NOW you can roll your sleeves up for a round of personal attacks and abuse,... knock yourself out,”
by Juzzah
Thursday, March 21 2013, 1:05PM
“Here we go again public sector workers out on strike again!!! Just get back to doing your jobs, us in the private sector aren't all out striking and picketing! I know that I will have a bunch of public sector workers on here telling me how bad they have it but that is just bullsh#t! The whole country is struggling not just you lot but you all want sympathy, well don't expect any from here. Everyone is making cut backs etc that is unfortunately the way it is at the moment, do what we all do and get back to work!!”
by Juzzah
Thursday, March 21 2013, 1:04PM
“Here we go again public sector workers out on strike again!!! Just get back to doing your jobs, us in the private sector aren't all out striking and picketing! I know that I will have a bunch of public sector workers on here telling me how bad they have it but that is just bullsh#t! The whole country is struggling not just you lot but you all want sympathy, well don't expect any from here. Everyone is making cut backs etc that is unfortunately the way it is at the moment, do what we all do and get back to work!!”
by Juzzah
Thursday, March 21 2013, 12:57PM
“Sorry but everyone is suffering yet the people who work in the private sector aren't all our complaining and striking are they? No, they just get on with it, seriously get on with your jobs, there aren't many people around who are finding it easy yet you want sympathy, well sorry you are getting none from me!”
by mowcopman
Thursday, March 21 2013, 11:51AM
“Shortly after this video was taken they all went home. 5% in this economic climate, I don't think so.”
by pj123
Thursday, March 21 2013, 8:16AM
“Come on Johntoe lets have your whine about "its all the Tory's fault boo hoo".
Labour are as much to blame if not more than the Tory's with their profligacy.
Just look at this bunch of jokers running the city.
A perfect example.”