STRIKING charity workers were joined on the picket line by veteran film director Ken Loach.

The film-maker backed a campaign by employees of homeless charity Shelter, who are protesting at pay cuts and an extension to their working week.

Mr Loach - best known for his film Cathy Come Home, which documented the effect of homelessness on families - joined workers outside the charity's Princess Street office in Manchester.

It was the sixth day of strikes by members of the union Unite in two months.

Union leaders say they will continue to fight bosses until they enter into `reasonable' negotiations with them.

But Shelter boss Adam Sampson said the changes were made in the `best interest' of the people who need the charity's help.

An annual incremental pay increase which saw salaries rise in line with experience has been scrapped and the union claims one third of frontline staff has been downgraded to lower pay brackets.

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