Strikes call a halt to local services | ||
Industrial action by public sector workers over pensions
Thousands of local council workers went on strike this week to defend their pensions. Members of the local government pension scheme who are
In Ealing Borough 29 schools were closed and three partially closed as well one children's respite centre and one adult's day centre closed. The council’s Customer Service Centre operated a reduced service. Matthew Baker, Head of Human Resources at Ealing Council, said “The trade unions are in dispute with central government over changes to the local government pension scheme and have called out their members in all local authorities. During the striking period we took every measure to minimise the impact to our residents. Staff shortages have meant some schools and two social services centres closed as well as most libraries. We fully expect all services to return to normal when strike action ends." In Hounslow Borough, refuse collections were affected and the majority of school dinner ladies went on strike. Fourteen schools were closed across the borough with the Council requesting parents make alternative childcare arrangements. Hounslow also requested that residents only visit council offices on if absolutely necessary and asked for patience with staff who were not taking part in the industrial action.
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