Widespread disruption looks set to hit Shropshire on March 15 as thousands of public sector workers across the county are asked to rubber stamp the date for more national strike action over pensions.

Up to two million workers are expected to finalise the date in the next seven to 14 days, including thousands in Shropshire, union chiefs in the county said. It could mean colleges, schools, and doctors surgeries shut for one day.

It will also disrupt council services.

Workers from the Public and Commercial Services Union, Unite, and the NASUWT teachers’ union are expected to take part.

Action was originally planned for February, but has been delayed as unions work to coordinate efforts.

The University and College Union (UCU) has also rejected the Government’s latest offer over plans to reform public sector pensions and provisionally set a date for action on March 1. But that is likely to change to March 15 to create a larger coordinated action.

The impact on Shropshire’s economy could be even greater than the walkout in November, union chiefs warn, with doctors from the British Medical Association also threatening to strike for the first time in more than 30 years.

Michael Edwards, programme leader in the trade union studies unit at Shrewsbury College of Arts and Technology, today said more than 100 lecturers could strike again at the London Road campus alone.

He said: “There has been a meeting of the other ‘rejectionary unions’ and collectively they have agreed a day for March 15.

“This is now out to consultation with members and it is likely the UCU will align their date for strike action to the same time.

“Based on the reaction in my workplace, the motion will be supported and, if that is mirrored, we should have another two million people out on strike.

“We are talking about a significant number of businesses and organisations in Shropshire taking part.

“All the teaching unions will be out on strike and if you put that together with the potential strike of doctors the impact could be even greater than last time.”

Workers face an average 3.2 per cent increase in pension contributions, as well as the pension age rising to 66 by 2020.

See also:

• More Shropshire pension strikes likely
• Leader: Small numbers caused big problems in Shropshire strikes
• Biggest strike for 30 years as millions walk out