Public and council buildings closed due to industrial action

GMB members working in local authorities and schools across England, Wales and Northern Ireland are striking over pay.

Speaking ahead of the the largest one-day strike over pay by public sector workers since 2010, Brian Strutton, GMB National Secretary, said “GMB members have spoken loud and clear. They want a decent pay rise.

“We have tried sensible discussions, we’ve sought to negotiate reasonably, we’ve said we are willing to accept ACAS arbitration rather than go on strike - but to everything we’ve tried the employers have said “no”. So we have no choice.

“GMB members serving school meals, cleaning streets, emptying bins, looking after the elderly, helping children in classrooms and in all the other vital roles serving our communities are fed up with being ignored and undervalued.

“Their pay has gone up only 1% since 2010 and in October even the national minimum wage will overtake local authority pay scales. Their case is reasonable, the employers won’t listen and don’t care, no wonder they have turned to strike action as the only way of making their voices heard. With other unions involved too, the 10 July looks like being the second biggest dispute ever with up to 2 million workers on strike.”

Calderdale Council have released details of buildings that will be closed tomorrow.

Five unions - Unison, FBU, PCS, GMB, NUT and Unite - have all announced they will be taking part in the industrial action.

Due to strike action, the following Council buildings will be closed:

Akroyd Library

Beechwood Road Library

Central Library, Halifax

Elland Library

Halifax Town Hall

Hebden Bridge Library

King Cross Library

Mixenden Library

Rastrick Library (closed from 1pm)

Skircoat Library

Sowerby Bridge Library

Refuse collection service will be operating as normal throughout the day.