British public sector workers on strike demanding better wages

London, Oct 15 (IANS/EFE) British public sector workers began a 24-hour strike Wednesday to demand better wages after their earnings were affected by the austerity measures implemented by the government four years ago.

Employees at museums, airports, ports, courts and job centres walked off their jobs two days after the public health workers went on strike for four hours Monday asking for improvements in their income.

The Union of Commercial and Public Services (PCS) said Wednesday that employees in the sector would suffer a 20 percent decrease in their salaries in 2015 due to the wages freeze.

An estimated 200,000 members of the union are expected to join the strike.

PCS general secretary, Mark Serwotka, said that the cost of living was going up while wages were cut year after year, and demanded an end to the wage freeze.

"It is unacceptable that the people's salaries have decreased since the government coalition (between Conservatives and Liberal Democrats) came to power in 2010, which began implementing austerity measures, including reducing the number of ministries," Serwotka said.

--IANS/EFE

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