Councils Plan For Strike Action

18 November 2011, 05:00 | Updated: 18 November 2011, 14:33

Parents across the Thames Valley are being warned to make childcare plans as schools are expected to face the brunt of strikes at the end of the month

Two unions, Unison and the National Association of Head Teachers have already backed industrial action on November 30th.

Members of the biggest union Unite yesterday voted in support of the day of action over proposed Government changes to their pension schemes.

It means staff like bus drivers, binmen, dinner ladies and hospital staff could walk out.

4,000 of Buckinghamshire County Council's (BCC) staff belong to unions and they've told Heart they're expecting widespread disruption - but say vulnerable people in the community will be looked after.

Gillian Hibbard from BCC said;

"Although we know the number (of union members) the impact of the strike will not be known until the day.

"We are however preparing for wide-spread impact, we do expect schools to be closed so parents would be advised to plan on that basis."

Alison Sanders, Bracknell-Forest council's director of Corporate Services, said most of their primary and secondary schools could close;

"We will of course ensure all our critical services, such as support for elderly and disabled people, are covered and that people know what to expect on the day. We will try to keep disruption to a minimum."