GOVERNMENT workers in Worcester who say they are sick and tired of being the "poor relations" of the civil service are going on strike on Monday.

Up to 160 Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) members at the Whittington branch of Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) plan to walk out in frustration after being offered what they class a paltry pay offer.

They say they are fed up with poor pay, as they often earn £3,000 less than counterparts in other departments.

Workers who dealt with foot-and-mouth are especially angry, claiming they have had little recognition for the long hours they put in throughout the crisis.

"Historically we've been very poorly paid in comparison with other civil servants," said Allister Haynes, branch chairman of the PCS.

"We're fed up with being the poor relations of the civil service.

"While I wish to make it quite clear we have no desire to disrupt the service we provide to the agricultural community, the fact members are prepared to take strike action should give a clear indication to management about the strength of feeling of staff over this issue."

DEFRA was created after the last General Election by a merger between the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Union members' anger has been fuelled by the merger, as former DETR workers are paid significantly more than ex-MAFF employees for doing similar jobs.

They put in a pay claim earlier this year, which would have brought wage rates closer together, but management only offered them an additional day's leave plus a £1,000 or £750 pay rise.

The strike is part of a national one-day walk-out which should only cause disruption within offices.

Farmers should not be affected by the move.

Pay structure

"We're looking at improvements within the working of the department and a unified pay structure will be one of those challenges," said a Government spokeswoman for DEFRA.

"We take the concerns of the trade unions very seriously and have taken account of the feedback received from staff."