Wrexham Council Workers To Strike Over Public Sector Cuts

Hundreds of Wrexham Council workers will go on strike next Wednesday to protest against cuts to the public sector made by the coalition government.

The authority has said that a number of council services will be affected with school closures also likely.

A march and rally organised by North Wales Against Cuts will be held at Queens Square as part of a TUC day of action by millions of trade unionists protesting against cuts in their pensions and the wider government cuts.

The strike action will see health workers, school teachers, council workers, tax inspectors, lecturers and civil servants join the march with community activists such as disability campaigners also getting involved.

In a statement made via their website a spokesperson for Wrexham Council said: “A national day of industrial action has been announced for 30.11.11. There is likely to be disruption to council services on this day and details will be posted here as and when decisions have been taken regarding closing of offices, leisure centres etc.”

With regards to school closures they stated: “The decision to close schools rests with the school itself and they will be liaising direct with parents on the matter.

“School closures will also be posted on the council’s website at https://www.wrexham.gov.uk and schools will be updating this information as decisions to open or close are taken.”

Peter Jones, of the UCU lecturers’ union and a leading member of the alliance of public sector trade unions behind the march, said: “There’s incredible anger that public services are being cut and workers’ pensions are being raided to pay for the reckless gambling of the bankers.

“This day of action is all about public sector workers saying ‘enough is enough’ to the government about their pensions being cut while they’re expected to pay more and work longer. As well as those affected directly, there are millions more who will be hit by cutbacks in services and benefits. This march is for everyone – whether in the public sector, private sector or among the growing army of unemployed – affected by the cuts.”

He added: “Thousands of people work in the public sector in this part of Wales, whether in the NHS, the council, schools or civil service. This attack on workers, many of whom are low paid, will have a major knock-on effect on the local economy. That’s why trade unionists have banded together to form North Wales Against Cuts – we must fight back to defend our jobs, homes and families, schools and hospitals among others.”

The march through town begins in Queens Square at 11.30am and will end with an indoor rally at the Grove Park Little Theatre on Hill Street at 12.30pm.

Update

A list of confirmed school closures can be found below, Wrexham.com will keep readers up to date as and when we have news of any further closures.

Bryn Alyn High School, Gwersyllt
Rhosnesni High School, Wrexham
Penycae Community Primary
Rhosymedre Community Primary School
Ysgol Plas Coch CP, Wrecsam
Barker’s Lane CP, Wrexham
St Josephs Catholic & Anglican High Sch, Wrexham
Borras Park Infant and Junior School, Wrexham
Acton Park Community Primary, Wrexham
Ysgol Deiniol CP, Marchwiel
Ysgol Clywedog, Wrexham
St Josephs Catholic & Anglican High School, Wrexham
Barkers Lane CP, Wrexham
Ysgol Maes y Mynydd, Rhos
Maelor School, Penley
Minera Voluntary Aided School
New Broughton CP, Ysgol Penrhyn
Ysgol Sant Dunawd CP, Bangor on Dee
Brynteg CP
Penygelli CP School, Coedpoeth
Ysgol Bryn Tabor, Coedpoeth
Ysgol Cynddelw CP, Glynceiriog
Gwersyllt Community Primary School
Johnstown Infant School
Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog CP
Park Community Primary School, Llay
Black Lane CP, Pentre Broughton
Pontfadog CP
Rhostyllen CP
Ysgol Maes y Llan CP, Ruabon
Ysgol Morgan Llwyd, Wrexham
Gwenfro Community Primary School, Wrexham
Rhosddu Primary School, Wrexham
St Anne’s Catholic Primary, Wrexham
St Giles Vol Controlled School, Wrexham
Victoria Primary School, Wrexham
The Rofft, Marford

Other council services affected by industrial action:

Contact Wrexham
Contact Wrexham, Lord St will be closed.

Social services
Some social services will be available for vulnerable adults who require essential support. Services will be available to respond to emergency situations both during the day and out of office hours.

Refuse collection
It is likely that there will be disruption to bin collections on the day of the strike action. Residents who do not have their black bin collected due to strike action on the 30 November are asked to put it out for collection the following Wednesday 7 December. Black bins and recyclables only will be collected on the 7 December. There will be no green bin collection on the 7 December. Please share this information with your neighbours.

Leisure centres
All leisure centres will be closed to the public.

Country parks
All country parks and the associated facilities will be closed with the exception of Alyn Waters. The gates to Alyn Waters Country Park will be open, however all other facilities at the park will be closed.

Public conveniences
All council operated public conveniences will be closed.

Other services
More information will be provided in relation to libraries, estate offices, the museum, art gallery and tourist information on Monday 28th.

If any emergencies need to be dealt with you can ring the council on 01978 298977.