Council workers strike date set

A leading trade union has given the green light for hundreds of thousands of council workers to strike next month.

The two-day strike will take place on July 16 and 17 and is expected to cripple key services in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Unison decided on the strike on Friday through its industrial action committee.

The walk-out over pay disputes is expected to affect social workers, rent collectors, refuse collectors, dinner ladies, cleaners and teaching assistants among others.

Local authorities working with the union Unite will also strike at the same time as Unison.

Unison and Unite have both rejected a government pay deal of 2.45 per cent.

Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said that the rising costs of food, fuel and property meant that local authority workers had to protest.

"This decision has not been taken lightly, but years of pay cuts and recent hikes in fuel, food and housing costs have left them with little choice," he said.

"Throughout the union and across the country our members in local government have given sustained strike action the green light."