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Schools closed by strike action Thousands strike in pay band row
(about 7 hours later)
More than 80 schools in Birmingham are to close as thousands of city council workers prepare for a 24-hour strike. More than 80 schools in Birmingham are closed as thousands of council workers are taking part in a 24-hour strike.
Tuesday's walkout, which follows the failure of last-ditch talks, is set to cause widespread disruption and affect council services across the board. Tuesday's walkout, which follows the failure of last-ditch talks, is expected to cause widespread disruption and affect all council services.
Up to 20,000 city council workers voted to strike over plans to restructure staff pay bands. Unions say many people will lose money as a result. Up to 20,000 city council workers voted to strike over plans to restructure staff pay bands with unions claiming they were not consulted.
Birmingham City Council said it was legally obliged to review its services.Birmingham City Council said it was legally obliged to review its services.
The council has said 45% of the workers will get a "considerable increase". The council claims 45% of the workers will get a "considerable increase".
But the unions have said that some council staff could lose up to £18,000 a year each under the plans. But the unions claimed some council staff could lose up to £18,000 a year each under the plans.
Schools will close as workers, including cooks, cleaners and teaching assistants, go on strike. Schools will be closed because workers, including cooks, cleaners and teaching assistants are due to strike.
Earlier Dominic Hinks, from the GMB union, told BBC News that talks were going on between both sides and the strike would be called off if the meeting was successful.
"But members say they do not want to stand by as the council imposes the new pay structure. If they feel they need to strike then they will," he said.
'Non-critical services''Non-critical services'
Unison West Midlands regional secretary Valerie Broom said: "Our members deserve better treatment and the people of Birmingham deserve better quality services."Unison West Midlands regional secretary Valerie Broom said: "Our members deserve better treatment and the people of Birmingham deserve better quality services."
In a statement the council said: "In light of the industrial action planned by the trade unions in Birmingham, regrettably the city council has had to take the decision to suspend a number of non-critical services."In a statement the council said: "In light of the industrial action planned by the trade unions in Birmingham, regrettably the city council has had to take the decision to suspend a number of non-critical services."
The council is the biggest unitary authority in the UK and efforts will be made to keep as many services and buildings open as possible, a spokesman added.The council is the biggest unitary authority in the UK and efforts will be made to keep as many services and buildings open as possible, a spokesman added.
Members of Unison, Unite, the GMB and the construction workers union Ucatt will take part in the strike. Members of Unison, Unite, the GMB and the construction workers union Ucatt are taking part in the strike.
The city council lists the schools which are expected to be affected on its website. The city council has listed the schools expected to be affected on its website.
Other services set to be affected include: Other services which were set to be affected included:
  • Birmingham     Museum and Art Gallery
  • Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
  • More than 20 libraries closed
  • More than 20 libraries closed
  • About 10 leisure centres will be shut
  • About 10 leisure centres shut
  • Reduced care services
  • Reduced care services