Many public sector workers – including teachers, health workers, council staff, civil servants and firefighters – will take part in what could be the biggest day of action since 2010 when they strike on Thursday (July 10) over pay, pensions and conditions. The action is likely to hit many local schools and various services.
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Locally Bitterne Park secondary School will be only open to years 7 and 8, with the sixth form open for lessons and independent study. At the primary school it's thought just two year 1 classes will be affected. The council says the action is likely to affect some local services, although it can’t predict the exact impact of the walkout. However bin collections will be suspended on Thursday, and all libraries except Bitterne will be closed.
Teachers’ union the NUT, which is taking action alongside Unison, FBU, PCS, GMB and Unite, says its strike is “in pursuit of the disputes that Michael Gove has caused with the profession around pay, pensions and conditions”.
'60-hour week'
Christine Blower, NUT General Secretary, said that while no teacher expects to work 9 to 5, many are working 60 hours a week, with much work created by the bureaucracy of the Ofsted accountability regime. She said that expecting teachers to work until 68 for a pension would “not only dismay teachers but also parents and pupils”.
“Teachers deeply regret having to take strike action. We are aware that this causes problems and disruption for parents and carers. However, despite months in talks with Government officials, the real issues of our dispute over pay, pensions and conditions of service have not been addressed.”
Meanwhile UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, said: “Many of our members are low paid women earning barely above the minimum wage, who care for our children, our elderly and our vulnerable and they deserve better treatment than they have had at the hands of this Government. The employers must get back into talks immediately to avoid a damaging dispute.
'Pay reduced by 20%'
“Local government workers have been condemned to three consecutive years of pay freezes, followed by below-inflation rises in 2013 and 2014, leaving their pay reduced by almost 20% since the Coalition came to power.”
Unions will be holding a rally at Southampton Civic Centre from noon with main speakers from 12.30-1.30pm. For the latest information on school closures see the council’s website.
Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service urged the public to take extra care at home and on the roads, but reassured the public that emergency calls will still be answered and responded to.
