Carers, social workers, refuse collectors, street cleaners and teaching assistants will be among tens of thousands of local council and school support workers in Wales set to strike on 10 July
Thursday’s action over pay will take place alongside colleagues in England and Northern Ireland.
Marches and rallies will be taking place across Wales.
Cardiff – Temple of Peace, Edward VII Avenue in Cardiff (opposite Welsh Government offices in Cathays) for the rally between 12 noon and 1pm.
Swansea – Rally in Castle Square from 12 noon.
Wrexham – March through town. Assemble 11.30 am at Queens square by the Wrexham County Guildhall.
March off towards Llwyn Isaf, down Chester Street, up High street, Hope street, Regent street, King Street and Rhosddu Road back to Queens Square for the rally at 12 noon.
Bangor – March through town. Assemble 11.30am, assemble at the Clock in the main pedestrian area and March through High Street and Farrar Road back to the Clock tower for the rally at 12 noon.
Carmarthen – Rally in Notts Square, Carmarthen from 12 noon.
Merthyr Tydfil – Rally outside the Civic Centre, assemble 11 am
These events are supported by the Wales TUC and all of the trade unions taking strike action on 10 July -UNISON, GMB, UNITE, NUT , PCS and FBU).
“The Con-Dem government has had local government pay and conditions squarely in its sights since 2010,” says UNISON Cymru/ Wales head of local government Dominic MacAskill.
“A pay freeze in 2010, 2011 and 2012 and below-inflation rises in eight of the last 17 years has sent the pay packets of local government and school workers plummeting back to the level of the 1990s.
“Many council workers in Wales have been left struggling to get by, with some relying on foodbanks, second jobs and in-work benefits to make ends meet.
“In-work poverty and the cost of living crisis are real and pressing issues for a growing number of our members.
“This year’s offer would result in a cumulative real-term cut of almost 20% for more than one million local government and school workers.”
UNISON is urging the employers to get back to the negotiating table with an offer that recognises the invaluable contribution members make to their local communities.
Mr MacAskill will be the main speaker at the Swansea rally, while regional secretary Margaret Thomas will be the main speaker at the Wrexham rally.
