Salisbury public workers strike over pay deficit

They say their pay hasn't matched inflation.

Author: Aaron HarperPublished 21st Mar 2023

Public workers at Defence Science and Technology (DSTL) in Salisbury went on strike on Wednesday in a row over pay.

DSTL provide specialist services to the Ministry of Defence but workers have seen a real terms cut in their pay.

Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, Prospect National Officer Nick Males said: “The average member of staff at DSTL is probably 26% behind inflation over the last 12 years. Our members don’t want to strike but they feel they have no option.

“People are just really struggling with day-to-day issues, childcare costs, cost of living, making ends meet.”

Mr Males told us that the Pay Remit guidance had capped wage rises at two or three percent, which was causing “huge issues” for the workforce, adding that pay rewards over the last decade have been “well below inflation”.

Mr Males called for “meaningful” engagement from the Government to help the struggling workers.

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