MORE industrial action looms as council services get back to normal after Wednesday's (July 17) strike.

Union leaders say they are delighted with the solidarity of their members during the national one-day stoppage, the first of its kind for decades.

Even Bury town hall bosses estimated that 80 per cent of staff withdrew their labour, affecting everything from schools and social work to refuse collection and libraries.

But they say that jobs will go if employees are offered more than the three per cent they have turned down. The unions, Unison, GMB and TGWU, are demanding six per cent, or £1,750.

This week's action is likely to be followed by another one-day strike next month, followed by selective walkouts.

Mr Steve Morton, Bury branch secretary of Unison, said: "Generally it was a very successful day of action, and our point was well made. Most council buildings were closed, the refuse collectors were out, and we have heard that 50 schools were closed.

"Bury is not a hotbed of trade unionism, but we've been heartened by the number of better-paid staff who turned out to support their low-paid colleagues. We also got a very good response from the public."

Mr Morton added: "Our members are rightly outraged by Bury councillors giving themselves a 50 per cent rise in allowances on the eve of the strike. It went down like a lead balloon, and turned people who were not sure about the action into being fully behind it."

Mr Mark Sanders, chief executive of Bury Council, thanked the unions for providing services for vulnerable people and for emergencies.

He said that only 12 schools were closed because of the action, but conceded that four out of five staff taking action was high.

"We know that that represents the strength of feeling among the staff, but it doesn't affect our ability to pay, which is as limited as it was the day before," he said. "In that context, we are asking staff to think about the consequences of increased pay against decreased jobs.

"It's up to local government collectively if it wants to increase the offer, but there's no more money in our pot. If there's a better offer, there will be an effect on jobs.

"The offer is nearly three times the rate of inflation. I think people in other sectors would be jealous of that."

Mr Sanders added: "I would regard the strike as being a protest. I hope we don't move into that long-term, damaging action phase."