Strike hits schools and services across Wakefield district

Some schools are closed and around 40,000 households will not have their bins emptied today as teachers and council workers walk out on strike.

Wakefield Council staff and public sector workers across the country have been joined by hundreds of members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) in the strike over excessive workloads, pensions pay and changes to the education system.

A Wakefield Council spokesman said 71 schools across the district were expected to be closed or partially closed today.

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He said: “We expect emergency services and services for the most vulnerable to still be in place and we will do everything we can to maintain other services.

“But we are advising people to check before they use a council service.

Parents and carers need to contact their children’s nurseries, children’s centres and schools directly for the most up-to-date position.”

Other council staff include carers, social workers, street cleaners and teaching assistants.

Members of unions including Unison and the GMB will be protesting in Wakefield.

Unison said some council workers were struggling to make ends meet, with some even taking second jobs.