Strike to hit schools, libraries and rubbish collections (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Strike to hit schools, libraries and rubbish collections

7:59am Wednesday 16th July 2008

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Tens of thousands of council workers and civil servants are set to strike today in a row over pay.

Members of three unions have voted to strike leading to closures of schools, libraries, museums and civic offices across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Rubbish collections will also be cancelled and other services disrupted.

Unison and Unite said they expected more than half a million workers to join the 48-hour walkout after they rejected a 2.45 per cent officer.

Members of the Public and Commercial Services union - which includes driving test examiners and coastguards - will take industrial action in the next few days in a separate argument.

Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison, said: "The pounds in local government workers' pockets are turning to pennies. The cost of everyday essentials like milk, bread, petrol, gas and electricity are going through the roof - our members cannot afford to take another cut in their pay.

"Strike action is always a last resort but we have been left with no choice. Local government employers are sitting on £3 billion worth of efficiency savings made by our members they could use to settle the strike now.

"There is no need to ask the Government for more, no need to put up council taxes and no need to cut jobs or services."

• What do you think of the strike action? Have your say using the comment feature below.

Find out how the strike has affected your area:

• To read what has happened in Merton click here
• To read what has happened in Hounslow click here
• To read what has happened in Sutton click here
• To read what has happened in Kingston click here
• To read what has happened in Croydon click here
• To read what has happened in Richmond click here

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