Shropshire trade union members strike over pensions
Striking public sector workers from up to twenty trade unions are today taking part in what is set to be the largest strike in Shropshire’s history.
Public sector workers are taking part in a day of action to oppose Government proposals to cut public sector pensions.
"Whether you’re a civil servant, a teacher or a lecturer, a nurse or a local government worker, if you work in the public sector you are being asked to work longer and pay more for a smaller pension,” said Steve Bradfield of the Shrewsbury branch of the University and College Union.
Picket lines are in action at local colleges, schools, hospitals, council and other public sector workplaces such as Shrewsbury’s prison.
Mike Veric of the PCS union said: “Public servants are not responsible for cuts in private sector pensions. The National Audit Office has confirmed that public sector pensions are affordable now and in the future. The answer is not to equalise the misery: we want fair pensions for all.”
Brett Davis, President of Shropshire and Telford Trades Council said: "This strike isn't just a protest, it's the start of a massive counter attack against the austerity measures this government is enforcing on not just us but also those most vulnerable in society. 2 million on strike, the biggest strike in UK history, we should be setting our sights very high and the government has no option but to re-think their plans".
George Osborne
The Chancellor, George Osborne, said that today's walkout by millions of public sector workers would make Britain's economy weaker.
He told BBC Breakfast: "The strike is not going to achieve anything, it's not going to change anything. Britain has to live within its means.
"It is only going to make our economy weaker and potentially cost jobs."
"So let's get back round the negotiating table, let's get a pension deal that is fair to the public sector, that gives decent pensions for many, many decades to come but which this county can also afford and our taxpayers can afford.
Today's action is expected to be the largest national strike since 1979.
More than 1,000 rallies and demonstrations will take place across the UK with the biggest march in London this afternoon.
Shropshire Trade Union Rallies
Striking public sector workers will be participating in a rally at Cordingley Hall, Donnington at 12 noon and in Shrewsbury’s Square at 12.30pm to hear local trade union and community leaders voice their opposition to Government plans.
Jo Messer, chair of the Shropshire UNISON branch, will chair the Shrewsbury rally, which will hear comedienne Jo Brand’s mother, Joyce, join local trade union leaders in explaining how the Government is effectively taxing public sector workers to pay for a deficit created by bailing out irresponsible bankers.
Shropshire Schools Affected by Strike Action
A large number of schools in the Shropshire Council area and borough of Telford & Wrekin are to closed today.
- Shropshire school closures on the Shropshire Council website.
- Telford & Wrekin school closures on the Telford & Wrekin Council website.
Council Services Affected
Shropshire Council services are expected to face major disruption today, council services will run at a “Christmas Day” level, with all emergency and essential services, such as social care for vulnerable local people, still running. Refuse collections will carry on as normal, but some leisure centres and libraries will be closed.
Chief executive of Shropshire Council, Kim Ryley, said: “We are expecting widespread disruption, but all essential services will be covered on Wednesday.”
View details of Shropshire Council Services affected.
In Telford & Wrekin the Civic Offices, including First Point, and First Point Hadley will be closed to the public. To help keep people up to date of any services that will be affected, the council are posting information to www.telford.gov.uk/nationalstrike as well as its Facebook and Twitter pages.
All council phone services are expected to open, but waiting times for calls to some services may be longer than normal.
Cllr Richard Overton, Deputy Leader and cabinet member with special responsibility for customer services, said: “The administration fully respects workers’ right to take industrial action where they feel strongly and though this may mean a reduced level of service in some areas, we are working closely with the trade unions to ensure the most vulnerable are protected.
West Midlands Ambulance Service
West Midlands Ambulance Service is urging the public to use the 999 service as sparingly as possible as a number of staff will be taking part in today’s national day of action.
West Midlands Ambulance Service Director of Service Delivery, Barry Thurston, said: “I would urge all members of the public to be mindful of the need to use our service wisely and where possible use other parts of the NHS to access healthcare such as minor injury units, walk in centres, pharmacists, NHS Direct and self care.
“We have agreed with our unions that ambulance staff will deal with 999 life-threatening emergency calls.
“They have also agreed that the non-emergency Patient Transport Service will continue to provide transport to vulnerable groups such as patients undertaking renal dialysis, cancer treatments, obstetrics and palliative care.”
Community Hospital and Community Health Services
Inpatient care and Minor Injury Units at Shropshire’s community hospitals and other essential services, such as district nursing visits to priority patients, will run as usual today. Certain non-urgent clinics are suspended to avoid inconvenience to patients on the day through possible last minute cancellations.
Everyone who has had an appointment cancelled is being contacted directly by the Trust either by phone or by letter, and the Trust will be re-arranging all of the appointments to see those patients as soon as possible.
Ted Wilson, Director of Service Delivery at Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust comments: “We are dedicated to making sure that all of our patients get the care they need when they need it, and we have well established contingency plans to cope with exceptional situations such as the industrial action on 30 November. Our priority is making sure that vulnerable patients and those with urgent needs get the required care.
