Strike has caused schools to close

Wed 16 Jul 2008 at 3:48 PM

A strike by council staff has left schools closed, and libraries and town halls empty.

Employment unions Unite and Unison have estimated more than 600,000 workers will take part and interrupt services.

Dave Prentis, Unison general secretary explained workers were struggling with rising costs and his "members cannot afford to take another cut in their pay".

Unions are pushing for a settlement of six per cent and have rejected an earlier deal at 2.45 per cent.

In some areas, the BBC has reported, rubbish was not collected and town hall services were denied.

Jan Parkinson, managing director of Local Government Employers, said its staff is its "greatest asset" but "we have simply reached the limit of what is affordable".

Government administration jobs in Manchester are likely to be affected by the changes, although privately contracted staff from recruitment agencies are less likely to be involved.