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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!