March and rally in Wakefield as workers set to strike over pay

Carers, social workers, refuse collectors, street cleaners and teaching assistants will be among staff taking action next Thursday.

Unions including Unison, the GMB and National Union of Teachers are taking part in the nationwide day of action.

Unison said some council workers were struggling to make ends meet, even taking second jobs and turning to food banks, after a string of pay freezes and wage increases below the rate of inflation.

Steve Torrance, Unison’s regional organiser, said: “Many Council’s and school workers now rely upon state benefits to pay bills. The taxpayer is subsidising poverty wages and its time it stopped.

“We aren’t asking for the moon and stars, only fair pay for workers who help support our local communities.”

A march and rally will be held in Wakefield as part of the action.

Strikers will gather at Coronation Gardens at 12.30pm before the rally is held from 1pm-2pm in the Cathedral precinct.

After the rally strikers are invited for refreshments at Wakefield Labour Club, known as the Red Shed, on Vicarage Street.