ON Friday, July 12, Ian Fannon reported how rubbish will be left uncollected due to a one day strike by council workers.

This will be inconvenient for residents affected, but we should remember that responsibility for the strike lies with the Government, which refuses to pay decent wages.

One in five council workers earn less than £5 per hour, and two thirds get paid less than £13,000. We all use Swindon council services and know that the staff are hardworking and dedicated. Frankly they deserve better.

It is a scandal that in a country with 70,000 millionaires we cannot find enough money to provide decent wages for public servants. The Government should tax the rich to fund public services properly. This New Labour Government is so busy looking after the rich it has forgotten about the people who elected it.

The strike action is completely justified, and the council workers deserve our support.

ANDY NEWMAN

Secretary, Swindon Socialist Alliance

Avenue Road

Swindon