Sutton is braced for its most disruptive strike yet as three unions mobilise support in a campaign for better pay.

On Wednesday, July 17, workers will form picket lines around schools, libraries and local authority offices in the fourth day of industrial action to hit the council since May.

It is the first time in more than 20 years that all three local government unions Unison, the GMB and TGWU have balloted members for action and councils across the country will be hit.

A council spokesman said essential services would be maintained where possible but could not predict how many employees would strike or the likely level of disruption.

Earlier action, involving only Unison members, saw schools, day centres and libraries shut down.

However, despite there being around 1,300 Unison members in Sutton, the turnout failed to pass the 300 mark.

Combined, there are around 100 GMB and TGWU members in the council who may join next week's strike.

The unions are demanding a six per cent pay increase for members nationwide.

And in London, in addition to the general pay rise, unions say their members should be given similar allowances to nurses and police, who can receive between £4,000 and £6,000 extra for working in the capital.

The council, while sympathising with the cost of living in London, said it could not afford the wage demands and the three per cent pay rise already on the table was double the rate of inflation.

Sutton Unison branch secretary Henry Carpenter said: "We've got the TGWU and GMB joining the strike this time and we hope to get a lot more support on Wednesday than before."

Sutton GMB officer Paul Clarke said it was disgraceful councillors have awarded themselves more money in increased allowances while council staff were taking second and third jobs to make ends meet.

He said: "Councillors, who often have full-time jobs or are retired and have pensions and savings, get an average of £12,500, which is more than the salary of two thirds of our members.

"Police and workers in other essential services get decent London allowances but our members in local government are the forgotten footsoldiers."

July 12, 2002 10:30