Public sector workers strike across Scotland

STV

Scotland is facing the biggest day of strike action in a generation with public sector workers across the country striking over changes to their pensions.

Schools, hospitals and courts are all affected, and cultural services such as museums and libraries are also closed.

The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) said only 30 of the 2700 council-run schools will be open across the country as members of the largest teaching unions voted overwhelmingly in favour of the strike.

The action is in response to UK Government plans to increase the amount of money public sector workers pay into their pension, raise the age of retirement and introduce career-average pensions.

David Watson, Unison organiser for Scotland, said "just about everyone" will be affected by the day of action in the same way as on a public holiday.

Thousands of patients have had hospital appointments and operations cancelled or postponed as about 50,000 health care staff participate in the strike.

Most routine surgeries and appointments have been cancelled but urgent operations will go ahead and emergency services will continue to work as normal.

Every school run by Glasgow City Council, the City of Edinburgh Council and Aberdeen City Council will close.

In Shetland, most schools will be closed with the exception of Uyeasound, Skerries, Foula, Burravoe and Fair Isle. Only one school, St Andrew's Primary, will be operating in Orkney and Orkney College will be open for private study only.

Glasgow City Council said: "The health and safety of our children is paramount and as we have no idea of knowing how many teachers and school staff will be in each establishment until the day of the strike, we have taken the decision to close all schools."

In Dumfries and Galloway, Wednesday is an inset day for teachers with pupils out of school, so education will not be affected.

Transport

The underground system in Glasgow will be closed for the duration of the strike, with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) saying it has "no other choice".

Gordon Maclennan, SPT chief executive, said: "As we don't know until Wednesday how many of our subway staff will be on strike, we have no choice but to shut.

"Although this is incredibly disappointing as many thousands of customers depend on the system every day, this will at least allow people time to make alternative transport arrangements."

Services from SPT bus stations at Buchanan Street, East Kilbride, Hamilton and Greenock are expected to run as normal. Lothian Buses said its services are not expected to be affected, but users should check their website and Twitter feed (@on--lothianbuses) for regular updates.

No ferries will run to or from Shetland, but emergency cover will be coordinated by the coastguard.

First ScotRail and Network Rail indicated that they do not anticipate any disruption.

Edinburgh and Glasgow airports said they are hoping to operate a normal schedule, but advised passengers arriving from overseas that they may experience longer waiting times at passport control.

An Aberdeen Airport spokeswoman said they were expecting "business as usual". She said recent walkouts had not seriously affected the airport.

All museums, galleries, libraries and community centres will close in Edinburgh, as well as all libraries in Shetland and some in Aberdeen, where the city's Central Library and art gallery will be closed.

Driving test centres, swimming pools and waste services are all expected to be disrupted.

A spokesman for Cosla said: "Councils will be putting all of their resources into protecting services to vulnerable people in the event of strike action on November 30.

"Across Scotland, detailed contingency plans are in place to reflect the reality on the ground and address health and safety considerations.

"Trade unions recognise the need to provide emergency or essential services and have undertaken to negotiate local agreements with all councils that will protect these life and limb services.

"Nevertheless, communities should expect significant disruption. Services will be maintained, but may operate at a reduced level."

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