Bosses at local authorities in Bedfordshire may be picking up handsome pay packets each month, but for council workers further down the hierarchy life is far less rosy.

That's why members of public service trade union Unison will be swapping pens for placards today, July 14, and tomorrow, in protest at 'below-inflation' pay rises.

And the union has threatened that more stikes could be on the cards if employers do not sit up and take note.

This week Jonathan Hartley, Unison rep at South Beds District Council, said: 'At a time when the cost of food, fuel, mortgages and domestic energy is soaring, many staff are struggling to make ends meet.

'We carry out some of the most important jobs in the country, yet year after year we are expected to accept a real cut in our pay.

'After ten years of below-inflation pay rises and average household bills rocketing £1,300 in the last year alone, it's no wonder we think this is the last straw.'

And it looks like high salaries for top officers rankles with many too.

Mr Hartley continued: 'Despite publicity about large salaries on offer to a very small number of senior managers, local government workers are not on big wages, and many are low paid women working part-time so they can also care for their children and elderly dependants.

'We want the employers to start negotiating with us again so we can get a fair deal on pay and get back to doing what we do best - serving and improving the lives of our local communities.'

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