JEENA Badwal has been forced to sell her car and now walks

to her job at a city primary school.

She says this is because she is struggling to cope with the

increasing cost of living but below-inflation pay rises.

Mrs Badwal, who is a member of sports staff at Dale Primary

School, was typical of friends and colleagues in local

government who joined her on a two-day strike over pay

yesterday.

She said: “I have had to sell my car.

“It is because I can't afford the fuel and other costs

because we have seen prices go up for things like petrol and

food but our salary hasn't gone up the same amount.”

Mr Badwal was among dozens of council workers and teaching

assistants who took part in a Unison rally in Derby's Market

Place yesterday, while thousands more across the county stayed

away from their work and joined picket lines.

The action was organised by Unison and supported by the

union Unite to highlight a below-inflation pay increase offer

of 2.45%.

Sally McKeown, 52, of Alvaston, is a home care assistant who

is also striking over the pay offer.

She said: “We see this offer as a pay cut not a pay

rise.

“We keep seeing costs of living rise but we are getting

nothing to cover that.

“We are all struggling and have had to try not to use the

car as much.

“Some of the girls I know now use their bikes to get to work

because they can't afford cars.”

Other workers said they would not be severely affected by

the low pay rise but wanted to show solidarity with their

colleagues – even at the cost of two days' pay.

Sharon Adams, who works in Derby City Council's children's

social care department, said: “A small percentage pay rise can

still be quite a lot of money for those people on large

salaries but it is the lower-paid workers who it hits hard and

for them it is dreadful.

“I am lucky in that my husband and I are both in full-time

employment but I am here because it is an unfair deal and I

want to support the really low-paid workers who don't stand a

chance.”

The strike resulted in the closure of several buildings

across the county, including Derby's Museum and Art

Gallery.

Julia Frisby, of Milford, who works in the administration

office and reception of the museum, was at the rally.

She said: “I think we have to make the decision to give up

two days' pay and come out and support the low-paid workers

because ,hopefully, in the long run, this will lead to a better

pay offer which will be better for everyone.”

The strike started yesterday and will continue today.

Moz Greenshields, Unison Derby city branch secretary, said

she had been pleased with the support for the action so

far.

“Our employers and the Local Government Association, which

negotiates the pay on our behalf, need to get the very strong

message that a pay cut is not acceptable to our members.”