SCHOOLS across Cumbria are expected to close on Wednesday, November 30 as thousands of public sector workers strike over planned Government changes to pensions.
The Trade Union Congress is leading a day of action, which is set to see a walk-out by members of teaching unions, UNISON and the GMB.
Alan Rutter, of the National Union of Teachers, said: “All the feedback I’m getting is that members are going to take solid action over this – we are expecting the vast majority of schools to close.”
Rallies will be held in Carlisle Old Town Hall, Barrow-in-Furness Town Hall and Lancaster’s Dalton Square from noon, with speakers from a range of unions expected to address protesters.
The strike is the second walk-out this year over pension changes which would see employees working longer and paying more to receive a lower pension.
Emergency services frontline staff will not be affected but the majority of police stations in the county will be closed as administration staff join the protest.
Police station front counters in Kendal, Barrow and Workington will remain open.
More than 7,000 of Cumbria County Council’s staff are union members but a spokesman said it was difficult to calculate just how many would be on strike.
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