Why are public sector workers striking?
The public sector unions believe the government’s insistence that public sector pay needs to be capped at 2-2.5% is wrong because it is below the retail price index measure of inflation – presently 4.1%. This means a real terms pay cut for civil servants, teachers and local government workers. Employees are also angry that other parts of the public sector will receive higher increases. The armed forces have been offered 2.6%, while nurses (in England and Wales) will get 2.75% this year, 2.4% next year and 2.25% in 2010-11. How big have pay rises been in the private sector? According to Incomes Data Services, average pay rises in the private sector are running at around 4%. Who is striking? The Public and Commercial Services union says over 100,000 civil servants will walk out. They include coastguards, driving examiners, immigration officials, jobcentre and benefits staff. The 10 departments and agencies affected by the strike are the Department for Work and Pensions, the Home Office,
