Jackie Dutton Branch Secretary, PCS, Lambeth and Southwark

The pay is so low a lot of members in my office have to make claims themselves. I have had to send people for crisis loans before now just to meet their living expenses. About 90% are on less than �15,000 a year and many are on less than �10,600. Staff can work for a very long time without moving appreciatively up the pay scale. I've worked at the Stockwell branch for 16 years and I'm still not on the maximum for my grade. We are being offered a below-inflation pay rise, and what needs to be appreciated is that we are playing catch-up after years of low pay.

Pete Fisher Union representative, Stockwell Jobcentre Plus

Any pay rise we have had in the past has always been paid late. Now we have the case that last July's pay agreement still hasn't been settled and it is not long until April when the pay negotiations for 2004 should begin. We are seeing a significant decline in staff morale. It's like trying to push a rock up a hill really.

Anthony Marsh Claimant

I have just come back from living in the US for 15 years and I think the wages people are expected to live on here are disgraceful, given the high cost of living. If people are working a 40-hour week and can't afford to pay their bills then something is wrong.

Tanya Rutanen Claimant

It's people's right to strike. That's the only way workers can really influence things. I grew up in Finland where all workers belong to a union. I myself have experienced how unprotected workers are in Britain and what little rights they have. When I arrived here nine years ago I thought it was a jungle. I had friends who were working for as little as �1.95 an hour. For individual people it makes a difference whether decent pay comes this year, next year or when their children are going to school. Striking is the only way to get action when you need it.

Hugh Hanvey Pensioner

My pension book was called in to be changed but now I've been told I can't find out what's happening today or tomorrow so this strike is very inconvenient for me. Pensioners and disabled people should have their own offices anyway, not have to go to unemployment offices.

Dawn Anees Claimant

I don't know the details of the strike but from what I do understand they seem to be coming from a decent position. They provide an essential service to the community and I believe the government should step down from its pedestal and start renegotiating with people who are helping the community to run smoothly.

Paul Davies Claimant

No one let me know not to come here. I have walked all the way from Vauxhall and now I have to walk back. They say a giro will go out automatically but I like to know I've signed on. The staff should be grateful they have jobs because some of us find it hard to get them. I don't see the point of getting a job to go on strike.

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