They face drug addicts, armed robbers and violent thugs on a daily basis but going out in the cold to protest against Government cuts was a bridge to far for Sittingbourne Magistrates court officials.
While up to 270,000 of their civil servant colleagues took part in a 48-hour, country-wide protest against plans to scrap redundancy pay, court staff in the town chose to remain firmly ensconced inside the building.
One court worker said though the banners had been made and plans carefully laid down to take part in what has been described as possibly the biggest unrest in the public sector for more than two decades, after dipping their toe into the crisp Monday air staff called the whole thing off.
He added: “You won’t get a court case here today. They’ve all been cancelled due to the strike. It’s been like this all day.
“The banners were all made and ready and staff were supposed to be outside. Have they been out? Have they ever. It’s too cold for this lot. The banners are still in the back room. I’m taking one as a souvenir.”
Despite their notable absence outside the court, there was an equal lack of action indoors as the majority of scheduled cases were adjourned.
Lags due to be sentenced were sent home leaving one skeleton court struggling to keep the system going.
The 48-hour walk out on Monday and Tuesday involved workers from courts, ports, job and tax centres and emergency police stations all over the country. Organised by the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCSU) members fear losing a third of their entitlement over cuts under the civil service compensation scheme.
Under the new system, which takes effect in April, workers who take voluntary redundancy will have their pay-offs capped at £60,000. It will save the Government an estimated £500 million.
Britain’s fifth biggest union, the PCSU, said an employee with 20 years service could lose £20,000 as a result of new caps. Its striking members included staff at Government departments as well as workers in Parliament, museums and the Royal Courts of Justice.
A spokesman for the court service said while no courts were closed as a result of the action there may be a reduction in services.
PCS spokesman Bernard Harkins said more action was planned ahead of the general election nationwide. Let’s hope the weather in Sittingbourne improves by then.
POSTED: 09/03/2010 18:00:00
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