Strike action closes courts

Court staff picket outside Birmingham Magistrates Court

Many magistrates courts were forced to close on Monday as staff took official strike action in a row over pay.

Between 300 and 400 clerks, ushers and administration staff in the West Midlands walked out on Monday in what union officials say is the first official strike action since the courts were set up by Richard I in 1195.

This strike is unprecedented in the history of the magistrates courts and our union, but we just can't accept the pay cuts

AMO general secretary Rosie Eagleson

Members of the Association of Magisterial Officers (AMO), the union for magistrates courts staff, are angry at the results of a pay harmonisation scheme which led to a quarter of workers facing wage cuts.

But the employers, the Magistrates Courts Committee, says that without the new pay deal, there will be job cuts.

Members' compensation

The half-day strike came just two days before criminal justice reforms are due to be announced as part of the government's legislative programme.

The AMO says any such modernisation requires the consent of those working within the criminal justice system.

It wants compensation for members facing a pay cut and back pay for those who will see their pay rise.

AMO general secretary Rosie Eagleson said: "Hundreds of members are on strike and I would estimate that well over half the courtrooms in the region are not operating today.

"The government intends to make modernisation of the criminal justice system the cornerstone of its legislative programme this year, and these changes must be properly funded.

"This strike is unprecedented in the history of the magistrates courts and our union, but we just can't accept the pay cuts."

She added: " We would much rather this had been settled through normal channels but it wasn't possible and, regrettable, we've had to break a long history of industrial peace."

Hearings postponed

Ms Eagleson said picket lines were in force at Birmingham Victoria law courts, Wolverhampton, Walsall, West Bromwich, Warley, Dudley, Stourbridge, Coventry and Solihull.

West Midlands Magistrates' Courts Committee said 43 out of 76 courts in the region were sitting on Monday morning.

Several hundred hearings are thought to have been postponed.

All courts are expected to be back in action on Monday afternoon

A spokesman for the Lord Chancellor's Department said any industrial action was a matter for the Magistrates' Courts Committee.

But he added: "The government does not want to see any reduction in the level of service provided to those living in the West Midlands."