Green Party councillors have been picketing Brighton Town Hall alongside Unison members, and Greens across the country are supporting other strike actions.

Ben Duncan, Green Councillor for Queen’s Park, and prospective parliamentary candidate for Brighton Kemptown at the next general election, was the only politician to address yesterday's Unison rally outside Brighton Town Hall.

Ben also joined strikers on the picket.

In his speech on Thursday 17 July, Ben said: "Gordon Brown says we all have to tighten our belts in the face of tough economic times – of rising food, housing and transport costs.

"He says spending money ensuring wages for some of the lowest-paid keep up with inflation will push that inflation still higher. What nonsense.

"The reality is the current economic downturn has been caused by an out-of-control banking industry and an over dependence on depleting oil reserves.

"So, what does the government do? It spends £50 billion bailing out the banks, and billions more fighting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to secure oil reserves.

"Meanwhile, it says we can't afford to take the economic 'risk' of paying public sector workers the same as we did just a few years ago."

At last weekend's conference of the Green Party Trade Union Group, which was held in Brighton, Green Brighton Pavilion parliamentary candidate Caroline Lucas told delegates:

"The Green Party's record of championing Trade Union priorities, from defending public services from privatisation through to promoting a Living Wage, demonstrates that the Greens are the real party of social justice."

The Green MEP for London, Jean Lambert, specialises in employment and equality issues, and said:

“I wholeheartedly support UNISON’s call for fair pay for local Government workers.

"New research has found that public sector wages are around 30% lower than in the private sector and that is not beneficial for workers or for public services. As the cost of living increases public sector workers should not be expected to suffer disproportionately.

"Local government workers deserve a fair deal and that is why I am supporting the strike action on 16th and 17th July.”