MORE than 50 council staff picketed outside their offices in Ellesmere Port this morning (Wednesday) as part of national strike action.
Members of the Unison and Unite unions waved placards outside the borough council HQ in Civic Way as part of their two-day protest over the latest pay deal.
Steve Lamb, chairman of the Ellesmere Port Unison branch, said they had been offered a 2.45% increase by bosses. The unions are looking for a 6% rise.
Donna McDonagh, branch secretary, added: The industrial action has been well-supported so far today. There are about 40-50 people here now and there were more earlier.
“We’ve had Cllr Mike McCusker along today and tomorrow will have borough council leader Justin Madders coming down to see us.
“Staff have come from other offices like the Rossfield Road depot and Westminster housing office to join us in Civic Way.
Ellesmere Port Unison strike
“But we have granted exemptions to places like Stoak Lodge and the control centre at Joseph Groome Towers as we don’t want the strike action to affect vulnerable people.”
She added: “It’s not just the pay but local issues too.
“We’ve just had a job evaluation scheme and there is local government reorganisation looming, so none of know where we’ll be next year.”
The picketers have been joined by staff on the joint borough and county council highways unit.
County council offices closed in the town centre for the duration of the strike action included the Coronation Road offices and Park Family Centre in Stanney Lane, and Ellesmere Port Library. Other services affected include bin and recycling collections.
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