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Public sector strike cripples services in Scotland About 300,000 public sector workers strike in Scotland
(about 7 hours later)
Public services across Scotland have ground to a halt, after 300,000 public sector workers went on strike over planned UK pension and job changes. Public services across Scotland are expected to be halted as 300,000 public sector workers go on strike over planned UK pension and job changes.
Most schools have closed for the day and thousands of NHS appointments cancelled. Travel is also being hit. Most schools will be closed for the day and thousands of NHS appointments cancelled. Travel is also being hit.
As workers picket the Holyrood building for the day, SNP ministers will use a government debate to brand the pension plans a "cash grab".As workers picket the Holyrood building for the day, SNP ministers will use a government debate to brand the pension plans a "cash grab".
An estimated three million workers across the UK are striking. An estimated two million workers across the UK are striking.
The action has come in the wake of UK government plans to increase the amount of money public sector workers pay into their pension, raise the age of retirement and introduce career-average pensions. The action comes in the wake of UK government plans to increase the amount of money public sector workers pay into their pension, raise the age of retirement and introduce career-average pensions.
With severe public spending cuts under way, the Westminster coalition has said the changes were needed to stop the pension system going broke.With severe public spending cuts under way, the Westminster coalition has said the changes were needed to stop the pension system going broke.
Scottish councils and health authorities are focussing on providing emergency and essential services to the most vulnerable, meaning the closure of many community and daycare centres, libraries, swimming pools and galleries.Scottish councils and health authorities are focussing on providing emergency and essential services to the most vulnerable, meaning the closure of many community and daycare centres, libraries, swimming pools and galleries.
Many people's bins will go uncollected.Many people's bins will go uncollected.
Only 30 of the 2,700 council-run schools will open due to action by teaching unions, said local authority body Cosla.Only 30 of the 2,700 council-run schools will open due to action by teaching unions, said local authority body Cosla.
Most routine surgery and hospital appointments have been cancelled after an estimated 50,000 NHS staff decided to strike, but urgent operations will go ahead and emergency services will continue as normal.Most routine surgery and hospital appointments have been cancelled after an estimated 50,000 NHS staff decided to strike, but urgent operations will go ahead and emergency services will continue as normal.
The Scottish Ambulance Service is maintaining accident and emergency response, while no disruption to police and fire and rescue services is expected.The Scottish Ambulance Service is maintaining accident and emergency response, while no disruption to police and fire and rescue services is expected.
City undergroundCity underground
Edinburgh and Glasgow airports have warned of disruption at passport control, after a decision by UK Border Agency staff to take part in the strike, although Aberdeen Airport said it was expecting "business as usual".Edinburgh and Glasgow airports have warned of disruption at passport control, after a decision by UK Border Agency staff to take part in the strike, although Aberdeen Airport said it was expecting "business as usual".
Scottish government-owned operator Highlands and Islands Airports was not expecting disruption, neither was First ScotRail, Network Rail and Lothian Buses.Scottish government-owned operator Highlands and Islands Airports was not expecting disruption, neither was First ScotRail, Network Rail and Lothian Buses.
However, the Glasgow underground will not be running, and ferries to and from Shetland have been cancelled.However, the Glasgow underground will not be running, and ferries to and from Shetland have been cancelled.
Unions taking part in the action include:Unions taking part in the action include:
  • Scotland's largest teaching union, the EIS, resulting in mass school closures.
  • Civil servants represented by the PCS, including job centre staff, tax officers, Scottish government workers, Historic Scotland warders, pensions administrators, museums and gallery staff, benefits advisers, passport administrators, coastguard officials, fishery officers, driving examiners, courts and prison staff.
  • There will be picket lines at Faslane nuclear base, Edinburgh Castle, job centres, large tax offices, all main Scottish Government buildings, the Scottish Parliament, the Glasgow passport office, the National Museum of Scotland and the Forestry Commission.
  • About 5,000 Prospect members taking action include veterinary scientists, cartographers, curators and conservators, environmental scientists, project engineers, forest research scientists, mechanical engineers, psychologists, botanists, librarians, safety inspectors, information officers, and scores of other specialist disciplines.
  • GMB members working in local government, the NHS and civil service.
  • Scotland's largest teaching union, the EIS, resulting in mass school closures.
  • Civil servants represented by the PCS, including job centre staff, tax officers, Scottish government workers, Historic Scotland warders, pensions administrators, museums and gallery staff, benefits advisers, passport administrators, coastguard officials, fishery officers, driving examiners, courts and prison staff.
  • There will be picket lines at Faslane nuclear base, Edinburgh Castle, job centres, large tax offices, all main Scottish Government buildings, the Scottish Parliament, the Glasgow passport office, the National Museum of Scotland and the Forestry Commission.
  • About 5,000 Prospect members taking action include veterinary scientists, cartographers, curators and conservators, environmental scientists, project engineers, forest research scientists, mechanical engineers, psychologists, botanists, librarians, safety inspectors, information officers, and scores of other specialist disciplines.
  • GMB members working in local government, the NHS and civil service.
PCS scottish secretary Lynn Henderson, said: "The vital work carried out by public sector workers look after all aspects of our daily lives in Scotland. PCS Scottish secretary Lynn Henderson, said: "The vital work carried out by public sector workers look after all aspects of our daily lives in Scotland.
"All of our members are committed to the public service and not one of them takes industrial action lightly.""All of our members are committed to the public service and not one of them takes industrial action lightly."
A Cosla spokesman, said: "Across Scotland, detailed contingency plans are in place to reflect the reality on the ground and address health and safety considerations.A Cosla spokesman, said: "Across Scotland, detailed contingency plans are in place to reflect the reality on the ground and address health and safety considerations.
"Trade unions recognise the need to provide emergency or essential services and have undertaken to negotiate local agreements with all councils that will protect these life and limb services."Trade unions recognise the need to provide emergency or essential services and have undertaken to negotiate local agreements with all councils that will protect these life and limb services.
"Nevertheless, communities should expect significant disruption. Services will be maintained, but may operate at a reduced level.""Nevertheless, communities should expect significant disruption. Services will be maintained, but may operate at a reduced level."
At Holyrood, MSPs will debate a motion in the name of Finance Secretary John Swinney, branding the changes a "cash grab for the purposes of deficit reduction rather than a move to secure the long-term sustainability of public sector pensions".At Holyrood, MSPs will debate a motion in the name of Finance Secretary John Swinney, branding the changes a "cash grab for the purposes of deficit reduction rather than a move to secure the long-term sustainability of public sector pensions".
He also claimed UK ministers "appear to be relishing" the prospect of strike action.He also claimed UK ministers "appear to be relishing" the prospect of strike action.
Labour MSPs have refused to attending Holyrood on Wednesday.Labour MSPs have refused to attending Holyrood on Wednesday.
Councils in some areas have moved to try to mitigate the effects of strike action.Councils in some areas have moved to try to mitigate the effects of strike action.
Moray Council's five swimming pools are offering a special discount entry charge of 50p for children whose schools are closed.Moray Council's five swimming pools are offering a special discount entry charge of 50p for children whose schools are closed.
And, in East Dunbartonshire, apprentices will not lose a day's pay, after being told they were not required to report for work.And, in East Dunbartonshire, apprentices will not lose a day's pay, after being told they were not required to report for work.