TEACHERS, council workers and civil servants are set to strike on Thursday.

The strike is part of national strike action and those in Dorset will be among more than a million nationally joining the strike, which is being supported by a range of unions in protest against attacks on pay, pensions and workloads.

It is the third time members of the National Union of Teachers in Dorset have gone on strike.

Divisional secretary Geoff Cooke said the strikes reflect teacher’s anger over the refusal of the Secretary of State Michael Gove to have proper discussions about his ‘divisive reforms’.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union in Dorset are supporting the national action as part of a long-running dispute over pensions. Dorset Fire and Rescue Service will be providing a reduced emergency response.

Members of unions locally, including GMB, National Union of Teachers (NUT), Public and Commercial Services (PCS), UNISON and Unite will join the strike which will see rallies organised and picket lines drawn up.

Dorset County Council bosses say plans are in place to minimise disruption during Thursday's strike action.


DCC said there are around 2,000 county council staff who may take industrial action, however, employees do not have to let their managers know before the strike, so full details of any impacts on services may not be available until Thursday morning.


Chief Executive Debbie Ward said: “Although it's impossible to predict the impact that Thursday's strike will have on our services, we are doing everything we can to minimise disruption for Dorset residents.
“Our priority will be to continue to support the most vulnerable and protect our most critical services.”


Waste collections should continue as normal and people should put out their bins for collection.
If any collections cannot be completed Dorset Waste Partnership will aim to carry out catch-up collections on Saturday (12). If containers have not been collected by the end of the day, residents should leave them out until the end of Saturday.


DCC said it was the responsibility if schools to inform parents whether they would be open, closed or partially open.
Children's services, adult social care day services, registrars and park and ride services should not be affected.


Most, if not all, libraries should be open as normal.
Keep up to date with the latest information by visiting www.dorsetforyou.com/dorset-strikes-10-july or call 01305 221000.

LIST OF SCHOOLS AFFECTED

OPEN:

Wey Valley – unsure how many staff members will be striking, school will be open.

Conifers Primary school – will be open for the majority.

St Osmunds; Wyke Regis Junior School;

All Saints School;

St Mary's Middle School, Puddletown;

St John’s Primary School;

St Augustine’s Catholic Primary,

Puddletown First School;

Radipole Primary School;

Buckland Newton Primary School;

St Nicholas and St Laurence; Sunninghill Prep;

Thorners Primary School;

Greenford C of E Primary School;

Kingston Maurward College;

Salway Ash Primary School;

Woodroffe School

CLOSED:

Bridport Primary School;

Southill Primary School.

Dorchester Middle School;

Damers First School;

Thomas Hardye School will be closed to students in Year 9 and 10 but OPEN to the Sixth Form

NO DECISION YET:

Westfield Arts College;

St George’s Primary School, Portland;

Holy Trinity Primary School.