Strike set to close schools

Schools around the Black Country and Staffordshire will be plunged into chaos this week when thousands of classroom assistants, dinner ladies and caretakers go on strike.

Many schools will be forced to close on Wednesday and Thursday when members of Unison and Unite walk out over pay. Nationally, more than 600,000 council workers will stage industrial action over a 2.45 per cent offer. In Wolverhampton, 6,000 local authority workers will be downing tools – resulting in the closure or partial closure of 47 schools.

Councillor David Bourne, cabinet member for children and young people in the city, said he was against the action.

He said: "Obviously you cannot operate a school without caretaking and auxiliary staff so many will be closed to students.

"I personally am not in favour of this strike. I think the unions should negotiate and continue negotiations until they come to an agreement. It is going to be chaotic on Wednesday and Thursday, and not just in schools.

"I think the union members are forgetting their actions will result in a lot of children being on the streets on Wednesday and Thursday, giving the police and others additional work."

Binmen, social workers, librarians and cleaners will be among those striking this week, as will housing benefit staff, rent collectors, cooks, architects and surveyors.

Council bosses in Sandwell said they were still calculating the number of schools that will be affected.

Councillor Ian Jones, cabinet member for children and young people said: "I think there will be extensive support for the schools strike from members of Unison and Unite.

"The headteachers and the governing bodies are looking at the number of those who are going to take action and will carry out risk assessments as to whether each individual school can open.

"We have no exact figures at the moment but we are talking to the schools and expecting to make an announcement very shortly. This will have wider impact as whenever schools are closed the responsibility for youngsters moves to the parents."

Alderlsey High, Bushbury Hill Primary, Castlecroft Primary, Claregate Primary and Grove Primary are all among the Wolverhampton schools closing. Our Lady & St Chad's Catholic School, Penn Fields Special and Stow Heath Infant will also be shut.