Hypocritical councillors should give staff a fair deal

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 15th Jul 2008

This Wednesday and Thursday (16 and 17 July) hundreds of North Somerset Council staff will join thousands of others from around the country in a two day strike over pay.

Representatives of local councils across the country have offered council staff a pay rise of 2.45% plus an additional £100 a year for the lowest paid. Inflation is currently running at 4.3%.

Weston-super-Mare's Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate Mike Bell has offered his support to the Trade Union Congress' Speak up for Public Services campaign.

The Speak up for Public Services campaign highlights the valuable contribution made by public sector workers and recognises the need for fair pay.

Mike commented: "It is regrettable that a strike has become necessary and I am sorry that some council services will be affected by staff shortages as a result of the industrial action. However, workers have every right to stand up for themselves in negotiations with their employers.

"We all recognise that the economy is going through a challenging time and we need to tighten our belts. But the outrageous hypocrisy of councillors at the Town Hall who award themselves pay rises of as much as 54%, but offer their staff just 2.45% does little to advance the case for prudence.

"Every challenge this country faces whether it is emptying bins, reducing crime or dealing with the aftermath of natural disasters is met by people working in the front line of our public services and they deserve a fair pay deal.

"The pay offer being made by councils doesn't keep pace with inflation and is in real terms a pay cut for many local staff. North Somerset Council employs thousands of people in our community and must treat those people fairly."