A DOZEN libraries, a day centre and a children’s home were closed by striking council staff, angry at cuts to their terms and conditions.

The three-hour Valentine’s Day strike by workers at Cheshire West and Chester Council marked the launch of a programme of industrial action by members of Unison, GMB and Unite.

Tory council leaders say the contract changes are necessary to equalise terms and conditions between employees of the four legacy authorities which were replaced by CWaC in 2009.

But Ray McHale, of West Cheshire Unison, speaking at a 100-strong demonstration outside the council HQ building, said: “The council are pressing ahead with implementing new contracts that will mean big cuts in pay and car allowances for hundreds if not thousands of our members.”

Wendy Sweeney, a Chester-based support worker for adults with learning difficulties, said: “It’s compulsory for us to work weekends so where we would get time and a half we will just get single rate of pay. We work up until 10pm so after 7pm you get an unsociable allowance and they are taking that off us as well.”

Lorraine Saxon, a general assistant at the Curzon House for the elderly, is already £100 a month worse off due to changes in housing benefit and the abolition of her son’s educational maintenance allowance.

Mrs Saxon, a single parent, said: “We have had a two-year pay freeze and now they are asking us to take a basic cut as well.”

“Some of the people I work with, the night-time carers in the home, their income will be reducing by £300 a month.”

Union leaders will now look at a number of ongoing measures such as overtime bans followed by a series of selective strikes by staff most affected by cuts to their enhancements such as care workers, library staff and residential staff.