Download this article as a pdf leaflet.
Over 100,000 Members of
the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) are on strike together with up
to half a million other public sector workers including teachers and lecturers.
We are all protesting at the government’s policy to cap public sector pay below
inflation which has resulted in cuts to living standards across the civil
service.
We public
sector workers are sending a clear signal to the government in the run up to
the local elections that real pay cuts are unacceptable, and that we will
continue to fight against them. This united action helps demonstrate that
workers are willing to stand together against a government intent on paying for
its tax cuts to the rich by attacking the living standards of low paid public
sector workers. We are not responsible for the rising price of petrol, food and
fuel and we don’t see why we should have our living standards cut.
Today’s
action by members of the National Union of Teachers will be the first national
strike over pay for 21 years. It follows a lengthy campaign where the NUT has
repeatedly drawn attention to the frustration of teachers about the effects of
below-inflation pay increases on their living standards, recruitment, retention
and morale; and the future structure of the education service. An immediate ballot
is now needed in the NUT to follow on from the 75% vote in favour of today’s action.
The civil servants in ten departments, including
driving examiners, immigration staff, jobcentre and benefits staff are all in
dispute over below inflation pay offers. The pay offer only gives cost of
living increases averaging 2% or less with 40% of staff in the DWP receiving 0%
rise this year. Pay in the civil service is among the lowest in the public
sector with starting salaries just above the minimum wage and with a quarter of
staff earning less than £16,000. With inflation currently at 3.8%, staff are
angry at the government imposed pay caps that are resulting in pay freezes and
pay cuts in real terms. The aim of the government is to keep future pay
restricted to the CPI (consumer Price index) rather than the RPI (Retail Price
Index) which more accurately reflects the real cost of living.
This year
workers in the Health service have again been offered a below inflation pay
offer of 2.75% following on their below inflation 1.9% pay last year. Today’s
strike will be the biggest demonstration against the government pay restraint
in recent history and will see public sector workers standing shoulder to
shoulder against an unjust pay restraint policy.
The union
leadership in all public sector trade unions should be organising to link up
this fight.
Now is the time for all public sector workers to strike together!
