Discontent rises in public sector,

The CWU communication workers union is currently balloting nearly 150,000 members in Royal Mail in a pay dispute. The union is seeking 5% plus a commitment to increase basic pay to a minimum of £300 per week by October 2003. The employer has offered 2%, plus a further 0.5% on a performance-related basis.

A series of monthly one-day strikes began last month at the Ombudsman's Office, where members of civil service unions PCS and the FDA have rejected a 5.2% offer. Their main concern is that the offer does not guarantee staff reaching the top of their pay scales.

The long-running PCS dispute in Jobcentre Plus offices over management's plan to remove safety screens has spread to more of the new offices. The action began in London last September but has since expanded, with over 40,000 members taking action on 12 and 13 December.

Meanwhile members of the T&G transport union at Manchester Airport are set to strike over attempts by management to cut safety and security costs by 30% with the loss of 200 jobs (see page 22).

* A pay dispute at Bradford-based local newspaper group Newsquest caused a series of one-day strikes in January by members of the NUJ journalists' union, following rejection of a 2.5% pay offer.