British coastguards on strike for first time

They demanded their pay should be increased to match that of other emergency services in the country.

Coastguards around Britain staged the first strike in their history on Thursday demanding that their pay should be increased to match that of other emergency services in the country.

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Some 700 men and women at 19 search-and rescue coordination centres around the coasts of Britain took part in the 24-hour walkout on Thursday, but their union said Mayday and distress calls from ships would still be answered.

The Public and Commercial Services union said coastguards, who are on an average annual salary of 14,000 pounds ($28,000), were asking for an increase of 3,000 pounds per year.