London: Services including job centres and courts will be hit and thousands of schools closed as public sector workers across the UK stage a 24-hour strike. Picket lines are expected as the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) and three teaching unions protest at planned changes to their pensions.They say the proposals will mean working longer and contributing more, for a reduced pension in retirement.
The government says the plans are “fair to taxpayers” and the public sector.
As well as pickets, union leaders and activists will hold a march and rally in central London, where police leave has been cancelled.
The impact of the co-ordinated industrial action began to be felt at ports and airports on Wednesday evening, when some UK Border Agency staff walked out from 1800 BST.
Travellers have been warned to expect delays on arrival at UK ports and airports on Thursday.
However, people leaving the UK will not be affected because departing passengers come into contact with security staff, employed by the airports, who will not be taking industrial action.
Heathrow airport said there were currently “no significant problems for arriving
The action by the National Union of Teachers (NUT), the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) and the University and College Union (UCU) affects England and Wales.
The walkouts by the PCS, which has around 250,000 members including coastguards, police support workers, court staff and driving test examiners, will be staged across the UK.
The government believes one in five of the nation’s 500,000 civil servants will be on strike.
However, it added that the “vast majority” of courts, job centres, and HM Revenue and Customs call centres would remain open as usual.
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