Majority of schools to close on public sector strike day

THE majority of West Midlands schools are set to close next Wednesday as public sector workers stage a mass 24-hour strike over pension reform.
Teachers, teaching assistants, dinner ladies, nurses, hospital cleaners, care workers, binmen, PCSOs and lollipop people are joining the demonstration.
Marchers will go from Lionel Street in the Jewellery Quarter to the National Indoor Arena where a rally will be held. Roads will be closed as a result.
Up to 20 public sector unions are supporting the action.
The major teaching unions, the NASUWT, the NUT, the Association of Teachers and Lecturers and the National Association of Head Teachers are all set to stage walkouts closing schools and colleges. Many parents have already been warned of the school closures.
The strike is over the Government’s proposed reform of public sector pensions.
TUC general secretary Brenden Barber said: “Dedicated public sector workers take no pleasure in taking action next week, but the blame for this strike lies squarely with the government for failing to engage in serious talks until unions decided on a day of action.”


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