Coastguards in the UK are staging their first ever strike. The coastguards have taken action following years of poor pay awards that sees some members of a highly-skilled and highly-trained work force make only minumum wage. The starting salary in the service is just £12k.  700 members of the PCS union will take part in the 24 hour strike across the UK.

Mark Serwotka, PCS general secretary, said:

"Today's strike, the first in the Coastguard Agency's history, is not a step our members have taken lightly. They feel let down and betrayed by a refusal to pay them the same as other emergency services and by below-inflation pay rises which are cutting their pay in real terms.

Solidarity Co-Convenor Rosemary Byrne called on the party to join the workers on the picket line, she said:

"This is a vital service and the financial package is a disgrace. These workers should be given parity with other emergency services. Solidarity fully supports the strike action and we believe the workers were given no choice, our members will support the PCS members at picket lines across Scotland."