Schools shut as national strike hits Shropshire and Mid Wales
[gallery] Teachers, firefighters and council workers were taking action across Shropshire and Mid Wales today as more than a million public sector workers went on strike nationwide over pay, pensions, working conditions and jobs.
Schools were forced to shut and council services were hit in the bitter dispute with the government.
Demonstrations took place outside Shrewsbury's Shirehall, Guildhall and the fire station.
Telford & Wrekin Council workers were also picketing at Addenbrooke House and civil servants at Abbey House in Telford.
A host of schools were set to completely close or partially close today. Abbots Wood Day Centre in Shrewsbury was also set to close as adult social care workers joined the industrial action.
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List of Shropshire and Mid Wales school closures - July 10
Star comment: No simple answers in pay strike
The strike has been called following a long-running row over pay, pensions and conditions.
The action is set to be the biggest walkout over pay faced by the Government since it came to office.
Members of the Public and Commercial Services union voted by 3-1 in favour of stoppages.
Public sector union Unison and members of the Fire Brigades Union in Wales and England were also taking part
Brett Davis, president of Shropshire and Telford Trades Union Council, said the action was a springboard to other events, including a march in Shrewsbury on September 27 and a TUC march in London on October 18.
He said: "This Government has led a sustained attack on public sector workers and their pay and conditions. They are destroying our public services and wrecking the lives of millions."
Alan James, branch secretary for Unison, which represents workers at Shropshire Council, said the exact numbers taking part were unknown.
He said: "It is a national dispute which affects a lot of people. In Shropshire we are hoping for a good turnout.
Dave Engler, 54, from Shrewsbury works, who works in Property Services at Shropshire Council, said: "In the last four to five years I have seen a reduction in my pay packet of around 20 per cent in real terms."
Unions have been criticised by the Government over low turnouts in ballots which paved the way for today's action and it is thought that the Conservatives will propose changes to laws on ballots in next year's General Election manifesto.
The action has been condemned by the Department for Education, which said the move would disrupt pupils' education and damage the reputation of the teaching profession.
More than 200,000 teachers could take part in the action, according to the NUT. The union's general secretary, Christine Blower, said: "Teachers deeply regret having to take strike action.
"We are aware 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.
"Teacher morale is at a low ebb. Thousands of good, experienced teachers are leaving or considering leaving their job and a teacher shortage crisis is looming. Ofsted itself says two in five teachers are leaving the profession in their first five years."
She said union members have concerns over current working hours, the Government's plans for performance-related pay, linking wages to performance in the classroom, and reforms which the NUT says will mean teachers working longer and receiving less when they retire.
Meanwhile, dinner ladies, home helps, lollipop men and women, refuse collectors, librarians, park attendants, council road safety officers, caretakers and cleaners were joined by firefighters, civil servants and transport workers in taking action.
Brian Binnersley, 55, from Shrewsbury, who works in Health and Social Care, was among those at the picket line at Shirehall today. He said: "I've decided to come on strike because I believe a working person in this country should have the right to strike and we are no longer prepared to take the blame and flack for the problems in public services caused by the current government administration."
Councils serving Shropshire and Mid Wales admitted there would be some disruption. Councillor Kuldip Sahota, leader of Telford and Wrekin Council, said: "The administration fully respects employees' right to take lawful industrial action. Although some areas may be affected, we are working closely with the unions to ensure the most vulnerable are protected. If any services are affected, we will post this information on the council's website and on social media." Councillor Rosemarie Harris, of Powys County Council, said: "It is inevitable there will be some disruption. We apologise for any inconvenience. We have had discussions with local trade union officials to ensure emergency and sensitive services such as domiciliary care are maintained."
The Trade Union Congress said public sector workers are on average more than £2,000 worse off under the Government, while half a million council employees earn less than the living wage.
The strike has sparked a pledge by the Prime Minister to change employment law so a certain number of people must vote in a ballot otherwise industrial action would be illegal.
TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: "Workers are on strike today to say enough is enough."
A statement from Shropshire Council said: "Due to industrial action by Unison and the National Union of Teachers (NUT), some Shropshire schools and council buildings will be closed today.
"With regards to schools, each governing body makes the decision on whether it will be necessary to close their school, based on each individual circumstance. However we have been, and continue to work with county trade union representatives and schools to provide advice and support, look at the potential impact, and minimise the disruption caused by the planned industrial action.
"Schools are advising parents about their operational arrangements including whether they will be open, closed or partially open (to selected year groups or classes).
"Schools were also asked to inform us if they will be open, closed or partially open. However, not every school confirmed its plans.
"Today's industrial action is expected to have a limited impact on the delivery of other council services, including children's centres, nurseries, libraries, leisure centres, bin collections and day centres.
"For the latest information and a list of those schools and council services affected please check the Shropshire Council website at: http://www.shropshire.gov.uk/strike-action-10-july-2014."
A DfE spokeswoman said: "There is no justification for further strikes. The unions asked for talks, we agreed and talks are ongoing. Ministers have also met frequently with the unions. Further strike action will only disrupt parents' lives, hold back children's education and damage the reputation of the profession."
Action over pay, pensions and privatisation:
Q: What is the industrial action about?
The main focus of the strike is about pay, although some groups are also unhappy about pensions and privatisation. Local government and school staff members of Unite, Unison and GMB in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are taking strike action over this year's pay offer.
Firefighters are continuing to protest against changes to their pensions, and tomorrow's walkout will be their 15th since the dispute started. The National Union of Teachers has been in dispute for more than two years, focusing on changes to pay, pensions and working conditions.
Q: Who is taking part in the dispute?
A wide range of workers, from school cleaners and teachers to firefighters and driving test examiners. Striking workers include those working in local government and central government departments and agencies.
Q: What pay rise did local government workers ask for this year?
On behalf of local government workers the joint trade unions – Unite, Unison and GMB – asked for a £1 an hour increase, and for the lowest pay point to be at least the Living Wage.
Q: What is the Government's reaction to the strike?
The coalition is sticking to its policy of holding down public sector pay and of privatising services. Ministers maintain firefighters will still have generous pensions despite the changes, and have criticised teachers for disrupting education.
The Prime Minister has also pledged to bring forward suggested changes to employment law so a certain number of people have to take part in a ballot for industrial action to be lawful. Business leaders and leading Conservatives have been pressing for a threshold of 50 per cent.
Q: What is the Labour Party's stance on the strikes?
Labour has said no-one wants to see a strike, not least because of the impact on children and parents. However, the party refused to condemn the action because it "ramps up the rhetoric".
