LOCAL government workers will take part in an official day of protest tomorrow (Tuesday, February 4).

Council staff will stage protests, stunts and rallies at town halls across the region.

A spokesman for the Unison trade union said the action would highlight the dire state of local government pay and the disastrous impact of cuts on local jobs and services.

Local government workers’ pay was frozen for three years before a one per cent rise last year, which Unison says means salaries have fallen 18 per cent in real terms.

Unison, GMB and Unite are demanding a £1.20-per-hour minimum increase this year, to ensure all workers get at least the Living Wage, of £7.65 or £8.80 in London.

The government is expected to respond later this month.

Clare Williams, Unison’s regional convenor, said: “Today (Tuesday) is an opportunity for local government members across the region to tell their employers that they have had enough of being treated like second-class citizens.

“Many are having to resort to food banks to put food on their tables.”

There will be action in Durham, Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Newcastle and elsewhere.