’TWAS the fortnight before Christmas, when angry Grinches began to stir and set off to corner four prominent Welsh Tory MPs, who were trying to dampen the festive spirit with threats to the public sector.  

Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns and MPs Stephen Crabb, Guto Bebb and David Jones will all come face to face this week with public-sector workers dressed as the green mischief-maker famous for hating Christmas.

Angry at the government's continued seven-year pay cap, healthcare and local authority staff are warning the MPs against “stealing our pay rise.”

Workers will present giant Christmas cards on behalf of Wales's 390,000 public service workers at the MPs’ constituency offices.

The message inside reads: "Public service workers deliver essential services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, but the government pay freeze has seen their pay cut by over a fifth.

"This Christmas, support public service workers and stand up for your community."

The stunts, organised by union Unison, will also feature crowds singing alternative Christmas carols to reflect the frustrations of public-service workers and their families.

The union's Cymru Wales regional secretary Margaret Thomas said: "Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns should be banging the Cabinet table, telling the Prime Minister people here are suffering.

"We need to hear the voices of Guto Bebb, Stephen Crabb and David Jones. None of them made any contribution to last week's parliamentary debate on public-sector pay. By staying silent, they are failing to represent their constituents."

The union pointed out that there would be more money on high streets and for local businesses across Wales if the pay cap were ended.