Why Westminster is striking

Westminster strikers Pat Tabor and Kathryn Andrews outside Westminster City Hall with placards

Kathryn Andrews and Pat Tabor on strike outside Westminster City Hall

Local government workers in Westminster have joined hundreds of thousand of their colleagues across England, Wales and Northern Ireland on strike for fair pay today.

Here are just three of their stories, reflecting the views of the majority.

Pat Taber, social worker at Westminster City Council: “I’m striking because of the sorry state of our society which is becoming increasingly individualistic, where celebrities are thought to be of more value than teaching assistants, or social workers or fire fighters.

“A few people are doing really, really well but many more are struggling.

“I’ve been working here for 30 years. If I was starting now, I could not afford to live in London.”

Kathryn Andrews, social worker at Westminster City Council: “Social workers are not badly paid, compared to others.

“I’m striking because of the collective, for everyone who works in local government – dinner ladies, teaching assistants, people who empty the bins.

“Many people are on very, very low pay. Everyone has the right to fair and decent pay. Why should people have to go to food banks when they have a job?

“London is one of the most expensive cities to live in. And we are being priced out of living here. Effectively having a pay cut every year makes it impossible.

Chris Smith, Westminster branch secretary. Works in crime and disorder with the council: “Nobody wants to go on strike. We love looking after and working for the community.

“But our working members are now going to food banks – I’ve never seen that before. And the number of people coming to us for help from UNISON welfare has increased four times in the past four years.

“I would say that 40-50% of people who are coming to us for help are suffering from stress because of the increased workload. We have lost about 800 people through cuts. The ones who are left are working way beyond normal working hours, for no extra pay.

“At first with austerity the majority of people realised yes, there is going to be a pay freeze but we have to do something for the country.

“But now they just can’t continue to do that. The mood has changed from understanding to anger and frustration – but not resignation. And that is why we have such large numbers out today.”

Follow the strike on our #J10 rolling blog