Union rally held in Derby's Market Place as part of two-day strike (with pics and audio)

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.”