Thousands of public sector workers have begun a two day strike over a 2.45% pay increase that they say is too low

Thousands of public sector workers across the British Isles have begun a two day strike over pay.

Unions expect more than half a million workers to walk out over a 2.45% pay increase. They say it is far below the rate of inflation.

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: 'Council workers across the UK will be on strike in protest at the inadequate pay offer made to them by the local authority employers.

“All they want is a decent living wage, something the 2.45 per cent offered to local government employees is simply not going to give them.

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber

‘With prices constantly on the up, local government workers are being asked to accept a real terms pay cut by their employers as family budgets are being stretched to the limit.’

He added: ‘I urge the local government employers to return to the negotiating table and reach a fair and just settlement of this dispute.'

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