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COURTS across England and Wales were disrupted today as security guards staged the last of four days of strike action over pay.
The guards are members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) and work for contractor OCS.
Strike action affected 149 courts and PCS said 30 had shut completely, including those in Manchester, Blackpool, Chester, Harrogate, Huddersfield, Leyland, Lincoln, North Shields, Prestatyn, Scarborough, Wakefield and York.
Liverpool Crown Court had to be evacuated due to security breaches, the union said.
“This occurred because agency workers were asked to cover a role they’re not trained for,” PCS explained.
“Although no harm was done, the chaos underlines the importance of having trained professionals running the security of our courts.”
The workers have rejected a pay increase that would leave them just 38p above the minimum wage.
Strikers in Newcastle staged a rally yesterday that was supported by members of public-service union Unison, rail union RMT and the University and College Union.
The dispute continues.
