Last week the Living Wage Commission, chaired by Archbishop John Sentamu, reported on the crisis of living standards which now sees five million people paid below the ‘living wage’.

Many work for small employers, but hundreds of thousands work for large multi-national companies. Ordinary tax payers have to subsidise low pay and big profits, by paying tax credits to employees who can’t afford to live on their wages.

Even more disgraceful is low pay in the public sector. Some 500,000 council workers and school support staff are paid below the living wage. Many are paid only 14p per hour more than the current minimum wage.

Not surprisingly more than a million workers have decided to take strike action tomorrow, Thursday, July 10.

Many can’t afford to do so and are worried but see that they have no alternative. They can’t afford another below inflation pay settlement.

Council workers and school support staff members of UNISON, GMB and UNITE will be joined by teachers (NUT), Civil Servants (PCS) and probably fire-fighters (FBU).

All are fighting about pay cuts, pension cuts, redundancies and work-load increases. West Cheshire Trades Council will be supporting public sector workers; they have not caused the current financial crisis but are paying for it.

A rally will be held in Chester Town Hall Square from 11am on Thursday, July 10. Please come and show your support.

Ray McHale West Cheshire TUC c/o UNISON Sealand Road