A SECOND day of strike action took place at Stroud District Council on Wednesday when staff protested outside Ebley Mill over pay and conditions.

And members of public sectors workers' union UNISON - which represents around 40 percent of SDC's 615 employees - have now adopted a work-to-rule policy.

They are angry about the terms of new contracts.

It is thought those who refuse to sign will be dismissed.

Speaking at the picket line, the union's branch chairman Bob Nightingale blamed a lack of consultation for the demonstration.

"We're not happy about the way the restructuring has happened," he said.

"No one has been asked if they want to take voluntary redundancy or early retirement and there has been no consultation."

He said the dispute would continue until bosses agreed to renegotiate.

As part of the work-to-rule policy staff are refusing to cover for vacant posts or employees off sick.

Council worker and branch membership secretary Lisa Samak, said: "We want to show the management that we are united." Union members may also refuse to use their own cars for work purposes.

And they say further strikes are possible after talks between the union and managers failed to resolve the dispute on Monday.

But the council's strategic director Nigel Riglar said managers were unaware of any further action.

And he said the strikes did not affect services.

"Services to the public were unaffected with the exception of the Tourist Information Centre and the Museum in the Park," he said.

"We remain committed to a resolution of this matter through constructive discussion and the conciliation service ACAS is supporting this process."