THOUSANDS of probation workers across England and Wales walked out on strike for two hours yesterday in protest against a pay freeze.

The morning stoppage involved 4,300 members of public service union Unison.

Previous industrial action planned for June 11 had been suspended to allow pay talks between the union and employers to continue at arbitration service Acas. 

“The probation employers’ 0 per cent pay offer is an insult to hardworking staff who have been put through the misery of the government’s misguided reforms,” said Unison northern regional convener Claire Williams.

“There is still time for the employers to come up with a decent pay deal and avoid further disruption.”

Probation service bosses have proposed a “zero pay increase” for most workers but said staff on the highest pay grades could have a one-off payment ranging from £300 to £385. Only about 20 per cent of staff would receive the payment.

Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said that going on strike was always a last resort and that the union had done its best to win the best possible deal without strike action.

The staff voted by 73 per cent for strike action.

Pickets were in action outside probation offices across the country and were appealing for support from the public.

In the north-east of England strikers picketed probation offices on both sides of the Tyne, in Eslington Road in Jesmond in Newcastle, and at Warwick Street in Gateshead.