Public services grind to a halt across Scotland as 200,000 strike over pay

MORE than 1,000 schools and nurseries across Scotland have closed their doors today as 200,000 council workers stage a 24-hour strike over pay.

The industrial action by members of the Unison, Unite and GMB unions went ahead despite last-minute calls for intervention by Scottish ministers.

Teachers are not on strike: it is the support staff who keep schools open, from janitors to dinner ladies, who have walked out after rejecting a 2.5 per cent pay rise over each of the next three years.

Scores of other public services have also been put on hold for the day. Bins will be left unemptied, while many day-care centres, swimming pools, libraries and museums will be closed.

Traffic wardens and street cleaners are also off-duty and some councils warned yesterday no burials would take place.

Operator Caledonian MacBrayne said it would cancel sailings from Rothesay and Dunoon piers because of action by Argyll and Bute Council workers.

As staff picketed workplaces all across Scotland from 6am, authorities including Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen were forced to have only "life and limb" services operating.

Councillor Gordon Mackenzie, finance chief at Edinburgh City Council, said staff who strike will lose a day's wages.

But Unite said workers felt angry, frustrated and undervalued by their employers' below-inflation pay offer.

Jimmy Farrelly, Unite regional officer for Edinburgh and Glasgow, said with inflation now at 5 per cent this offer would hit low-paid workers hardest.

He added: "Unite believe that both the employers and the Scottish Government have a duty to intervene to end this damaging dispute and to stop placing the burden of inflation on the lowest paid workers by making the necessary funds available."

Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison, described the offer as effectively a pay cut and stressed that members took industrial action very reluctantly.

Alex McLuckie, GMB Scotland's senior organiser for local government, said talks had completely broken down with local authority body Cosla.

He told The Scotsman members wanted a single year offer closer to a 4 per cent rise and added: "I approached employers through Cosla asking them to meet us to see if there was some way they could look at the offer. But I am very disappointed I had no response."

Michael Cook, Cosla spokesman, said talks could go ahead after the strike. He said: "We made an offer in good faith which was in line with inflation when we made it and which was at the top of what councils could afford."

John Swinney, the finance secretary, said he "regretted" any disruption caused by the strike but said it was up to councils and employees to resolve it.

A second strike by civil servants with the Public and Commercial Services union was also planned for today. Members are angry that ministers imposed a 2 per cent increase on their own workforce, claiming it represented a rise of only £4.20 per week for people on £16,500.

See below for how your area will be affected

Individual council websites (listed below) will carry full information and updates on affected services and emergency contact telephone numbers.

ABERDEEN:
Closed: Council offices, switchboard, public toilets, libraries, Aberdeen Art Gallery, city museums. Sports centres likely to be shut.
No services: burials and casket interments at Aberdeen crematorium. Refuse, recycling, garden and trade waste collections.
Reduced hours: social work services, personal alarm call centre,
Staff on strike include: traffic wardens, street cleaners.

ABERDEENSHIRE:
Closed: Adult day services bases at Ellon Resource Centre, Banff Day Services, Forest View Centre, Stonehaven, Robertson Road, Fraserburgh. Swimming pools at Aboyne, Banchory, Banff, Ellon, Fraserburgh, Peterhead, Turriff and Westhill. Cash collection office at Allardice Street, Stonehaven. Community centres in Aboyne, Alehousewells, Buchanhaven, Central Buchan, Collieston, Ellon, Garioch, Kemnay, Kintore, Macduff, Peterhead, Potterton, St Johns and Westhill. Aboyne Library, Banff Academy Library, Inverurie Branch Library, Meldrum Community Library.
Secondary school closures: Aboyne Academy, Banchory Academy, Banff Academy, Ellon Academy, Fraserburgh Academy, Kemnay Academy, Mackie Academy, Mearns Academy, Mintlaw Academy, Peterhead Academy, The Gordon Schools, Turriff Academy, Westhill Academy.
Primary school closures: Aboyne Primary School, Banchory Primary School, Buchanhaven Primary School, Dales Park Primary School, Dunottar Primary School, Fraserburgh North Primary School, Fraserburgh South Park, Mill O'Forest Primary School, Peterhead Central School, Port Errol Primary School, Portlethen Primary School, St Cyrus Primary School, The Gordon Schools.
Special school closures: Anna Ritchie School, Peterhead, Carronhill School, Stonehaven, Westfield School, Fraserburgh.
Possible disruption: refuse collection and recycling. Some household waste and recycling centres may close.

ANGUS:
Closed: Libraries, museums, day centres at Rosehill, Montrose and Lilybank, Forfar. Council offices in Carnoustie, Monifieth and Forfar. Special needs base at Lochside Primary School.
No services: Nursery classes in Arbirlot, Mattocks and Newtyle. Out of school clubs at Seaview, Grange, Birkhill, Carlogie, Colliston, Liff, Murroes, Muirfield, Ladyloan and Inverbrothock.
Schools: Partial closure of Arbirlot Primary, Carnoustie High, Ladyloan Primary, Langlands Primary, Lochside Primary, Mattocks Primary, Monifieth High, Newbigging Primary, Newtyle Primary, Southesk Primary.
Possible disruption: school meals, green boxes and bins collection service, recycling centres.

ARGYLL AND BUTE:
Possible disruption: council school buses, school meals, pre-school classes.

CLACKMANNANSHIRE:
Closed: All nursery, primary, special and secondary schools. Council call centre and helplines. Offices and payment centres in Greenfield, Kilncraigs, Drysdale Street Library, Sauchie, Alva, Clackmannan, Tullibody, Tillicoultry, Lime Tree House, Bank Street, Marshill House. Forthbank recycling centre. Land services depot and recycling centre at Glenochil Nursery.
No services: Mental health services, Alloa and Whins day care centres, the supported employment service, all council run leisure facilities, housing operations services, out of school care clubs. Household and commercial waste collections.
Reduced hours: skeleton staff for homelessness emergencies.

DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY:
No services: graveyard burials.
Possible disruption: refuse collection, schools.
Reduced hours: social work services will be provided on an emergency basis.

DUNDEE:
Closed: All nursery, primary and secondary schools except for Kingspark and Claypotts Castle. Offices and facilities are likely to be closed.
No services: domestic waste collection.
Reduced hours: Limited emergency services in social work, housing emergency repairs and homeless service.

EAST AYRSHIRE:
Closed: All schools. Civic amenity site at Western Road, Kilmarnock.
No services: refuse collection including paper and garden waste bins.

EAST DUNBARTONSHIRE:
www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk
Closed: all council buildings, including schools, libraries, community centres and other public buildings.
No services: refuse and recycling collections including green and grey bins.

EAST LOTHIAN:
www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk
The extent to which services will be disrupted is not fully known but the council is confident that it will be able to maintain most services on the day and will endeavour to keep all facilities open.

EAST RENFREWSHIRE:
www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk
Closed: some council nurseries. Customer First service. Leisure centres.
No services: school meals. Refuse, garden waste and recycling collections.
Possible disruptions: library services, home care services.
Cancelled: club and community lets in council premises.

EDINBURGH:
www.edinburgh.gov.uk

Closed: some council buildings.

Child and family care centres: Craigmillar, Gilmerton, Granton, Greendykes, Hailesland, Queensferry, Sighthill, Viewforth. Community centres: Broomhouse CE Base, Broughton CE Base, Carrickvale, Castleview, Clovenstone, Craigentinny, Craigroyston, Duncan Place, Gracemount Youth Centre, Inch, Leith, Longstone, Nelson Hall, Pentland Centre Platform, Rannoch, Ratho, Royston/Wardieburn, South Bridge CE Base, Tollross Community Centre, Towerbank CE Base, West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre.

Primary school closures: Balgreen, Canal View, Carrick Knowe, Corstorphine, Craigentinny, Craiglockhart, Cramond, Currie, Dalmeny, Dalry, Duddingston, East Craigs, Gilmerton, Leith Walk, Longstone, Parson's Green, Preston Street, Roseburn, Royal Mile, Sighthill, St John's RC, Stenhouse, Towerbank.

Secondary School Closures: Balerno Community, Tynecastle High, Wester Hailes Education Centre.

Partial school closures: St Ninian's RC Primary - Primary 1 only. Boroughmuir High School - open for S4, S5, S6. Broughton High School - open for S5 and S6. Craigmount High School - open for S5 and S6. Craigroyston Community High School - open for S3 to S6. Currie Community High School - open for S4 / S5 / S6. Drummond Community High School - open for S5 and S6. Forrester High School - open for S4 / S5 / S6. Gracemount High School - open for S5 and S6. Holy Rood RC High School - open for S5 and S6. Leith Academy Community High School - open for S5 and S6. Liberton High School - open for S2 to S6. Portobello High School - open for S4, S5 and S6. St Augustine's RC High School - open for S5 and S6. St Thomas of Aquin's High School - open for S5 and S6.

No services: garden or trade waste collections.

Possible disruption: household bins, schools, nurseries, community centres, child and family centres, school crossing guide.

• Edinburgh Leisure facilities and services will operate as usual today (Wednesday 20 August). The only exception is the sport and leisure facilities at Queensferry High School, which will close at 5.30pm. Edinburgh Leisure is an independent charitable trust that manages the local leisure facilities on behalf of the council.

FALKIRK COUNCIL:
www.falkirk.gov.uk
Closed: Callendar House. Kinneil Museum. Sports centres and games halls in Denny, Bo'ness, Mariner, Hallglen, Polmont, Woodlands. All sports pavilions. All libraries. Social work facilities.
Possible disruption: Refuse collection.

FIFE:
www.fifedirect.org.uk
Closed: 159 schools including council-run nurseries. Argos Centre, Auchmuty Learning Centre, Bowhill Community Learning and Development Centre, Burntisland Library, Cadham Library, Glenrothes, Kennoway Library, Templehall Community Centre.
Severe disruption: bin collections on Wednesday, likely to continue on Thursday and Friday.

GLASGOW:
www.glasgow.gov.uk
Closed: All primaries, special educational needs schools and nurseries. Some council offices. Some museums, libraries, sports centres and community facilities.
No services: Refuse collections or wheelie bins, blue or brown bin recycling, commercial waste. Burials and cremations.
Possible disruption: Bulk uplift service.

HIGHLANDS:
www.highland.gov.uk
Closed: Recycling centres, council service points in Church Street, Inverness, Hilton, Inverness, Tain, Ullapool, Broadford, Kyle, Thurso, Bettyhill, Brora, Dornoch, Lairg, Nairn, Grantown, Kingussie, Fort William. HQ Cash Office. Registrars.
No services: refuse collection, bulky uplifts, kerbside recycling, burials or cremations. The Corran Ferry linking Nether Lochaber to Ardgour will not operate on Wednesday. Libraries in Alness, Badenoch, Bettyhill, Broadford, Dingwall (5-6pm), Fort William, Gairloch, Glenurquhart, Housebound Library, Invergordon Mobile Library, Inverness, Kyle, Mallaig, Moray Firth Mobile Library, Nairn, Portree, Thurso. Swimming Pools: Lochaber Leisure, Fort William, Nairn Leisure, Portree (7-9pm),Thurso, Wick. Community Facilities: Charleston Community Complex, Inverness, Culloden Community Complex, Inverness, Golspie Youth Centre, James Cameron Community Complex, Inverness.
Nursery closures: Bunsgoil Ghaidhlig Inbhir Nis, Arisaig, Auldearn, Ballachulish, Banavie, Bonar Bridge, Bridgend, Alness, Caol, Carbost, Cauldeen, Central, Conon Bridge, Cradlehall, Deshar, Boat of Garten, Duncan Forbes, Inverness, Elgol, Skye, Fort William RC, Gairloch, Gledfield, Ardgay, Helmsdale, Hilton, Inverness, Hilton, East Ross, Inshes, Inverness, Inverlochy, Kyle, Kyleakin, Macdiarmid, Skye, Mallaig, Marybank, Maryburgh, Newtonmore, North Kessock, North, Wick, Poolewe, Pulteneytown Academy, Wick, St Bride',s, Onich, Strathdearn, Struan, Skye, Tomnacross, , Ullapool, Upper Achintore, Fort William.
Primary school closures: Aviemore, Beauly, Brora, Coulhill, Alness, Cradlehall, Inverness, Dingwall, Dornoch, Golspie, Grantown, Halkirk, Park, Invergordon, Kilchuimen, Fort Augustus, Knockbreck, Tain, Millbank, Nairn, Miller Academy, Thurso, Mount Pleasant, Thurso, Obsdale, Alness, Pennyland, Thurso, Rosebank, Nairn, Smithton, Inverness, South Lodge, Invergordon, South, Wick, St Joseph's RC, Inverness, Tarradale.
Secondary school closures: Alness Academy, Charleston Academy, Inverness, Culloden Academy, Inverness, Grantown Grammar, Kilchuimen Academy, Kinlochbervie High, Fort Augustus, Kingussie High, Lochaber High, Millburn Academy, Inverness, Nairn Academy, Plockton High, Portree High, Tain Royal Academy, Thurso High S 1-3, Ullapool High, Wick High. Ardersier Primary – closing at noon,. Central Inverness is open to P 4-7 only.
Limited service: Inverness Leisure Centre.

INVERCLYDE:
www.inverclyde.gov.uk
Closed: Customer Centre at Wallace Place, all libraries, the McLean Museum.
Possible disruption: school meals, school crossing patrols, refuse collection.
No services: burials and cremations, weddings.

MIDLOTHIAN:
www.midlothian.gov.uk
Closed: All nurseries. Many offices and facilities including leisure centres and libraries are likely to remain closed to the public. Recycling Centres at Stobhill Depot, Newtongrange and Bellmans Road, Penicuik.
No services: Recycling boxes and grey and brown household bins will not be collected. Bulky uplift services will be suspended. 'Meals on Wheels' provision or lunch clubs. School meals. Wrap Around Care, Breakfast and after school clubs.
School closures: Saltersgate, Beeslack Com. High School, TOP Service (Greenhall), Lasswade High School Centre, Newbattle High School, Penicuik High School, Cockpen Nursery School, Cuikenburn Nursery School, Mayfield Nursery School, Mount Esk Nursery School, Thornybank Nursery School, Bonnyrigg Primary School, Cornbank St James Primary School, Cuiken Primary School, Danderhall Primary School, Glencorse Primary School, Hawthornden Primary School, Hopefield Primary School, King's Park Primary School, Lasswade Primary School, Mauricewood Primary School, Mayfield Primary School, Newtongrange Primary School, Paradykes Primary School, Rosewell Primary School, Roslin Primary School, Sacred Heart Primary School, St Andrew's Primary School, St David's Primary School, St Luke's Primary School, St Mary's Primary School, St Matthew's Primary School, Woodburn Primary School.
Possible disruption: school crossing patrols.

MORAY:
www.moray.gov.uk
Closed: the Cedarwood Day Centre in Elgin.
Primary school closures: Burghead, Kinloss, Millbank, New Elgin, Pilmuir, Seafield and St Gerardine's. No meals at Alves, Applegrove, Dallas, Hythehill, West End, Mosstowie, Portgordon, St Sylvester's and Rothiemay. Nurseries at Hopeman and Hythehill will be closed, along with a number of pre-five nurseries.
Secondary schools: All Moray secondary schools will be open as normal although there will be no meals at Keith Grammar and Buckie High.
Possible disruptions: meals-on-wheels service will be disrupted and will be closed, although the Moray Resource Centre and the Burnie Centre in Buckie will both be open. Refuse collection, particularly in the Elgin area.

NORTH AYRSHIRE:
www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk
Closed: Arran and Saltcoats local offices.
Partial school closures: Academies except Arran High, Greenwood and Largs Academies open for 4th, 5th and 6th year pupils only.
No services: school meals.
Possible disruption: Refuse collection.

NORTH LANARKSHIRE:
www.northlan.gov.uk
Closed: Nurseries, special needs schools, libraries, museums and community centres.
No services: uplift of domestic or commercial waste by cleansing services.
Postponed: environmental services committee.

ORKNEY ISLANDS:
www.orkney.gov.uk
Closed: Kirkwall Grammar School, Glaitness Primary School, Burray Primary School, Hope Primary School, Papdale Primary School and Shapinsay Primary School. Stromness Swimming Pool and the Orkney Library and Archive. The Orkney Museum and Scapa Flow Visitor Centre, Lyness.

PERTH AND KINROSS:
www.pkc.gov.uk
Closed: Pullar House in Perth, area offices and other council offices. All schools and nurseries and educational facilities (including community learning centres). All registrars except Perth. AK Bell Library in Perth. All civic amenity sites. All adult resource centres and day centres.
Cancelled: All school lets and out of school clubs.
Possible disruption: domestic, trade and household refuse collection.

RENFREWSHIRE:
www.renfrewshire.gov.uk
Closed: Council headquarters building and customer service centre, Renfrewshire House, Paisley. All special schools. Paisley Museum and Art Galleries (including the Observatory). Paisley Arts Centre. Paisley Town Hall. Johnstone Town Hall. All libraries.
Cancelled: All board and other council meetings. All school lets.
Possible disruption: public sports centres and swimming pools. Recycling and refuse collection. School crossing patrols.
Limited service: The Lagoon Leisure Centre.

SCOTTISH BORDERS:
www.scotborders.gov.uk
Closed: Community recycling centre and transfer station in Roxburgh.
No services: refuse and recycling in Roxburgh.
Primary school closures: Ayton, Burnfoot, Cockburnspath, Drumlanrig, Earlston, Glendinning Terrace, Howdenburn, Knowepark, Newcastleton, Newtown St Boswells, Reston, Stirches (nursery class open), Trinity, Wilton.
Secondary school closures: Earlston, Galashiels Academy, Hawick, Kelso.
Nursery classe closures: Chirnside, Coldstream, Parkside.

SHETLAND:
www.shetland.gov.uk
Closed: all schools except Uyesound Primary, open until lunchtime, Skerries, Burravoe primary, Fair Isle, Fetlar, Foula, Lunnasting, Sandness.
No services: all youth clubs, refuse collection (except on Bressay).
Transport - ports and harbours - no ships expected in and two tug crews on emergency standby. Inter Islands Air - timetable changes due to diversion from Tingwall to Sumburgh.

SOUTH AYRSHIRE:
www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk
Closed: All schools.
No services: Wheelie bin refuse collections or glass recycling boxes. Day services for adults and older people. Disability resource centre service.
Reduced services: community education, community centres, libraries and museums.

SOUTH LANARKSHIRE:
www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk
Closed: All council nurseries, 102 primary schools and nine primary schools. All libraries except Calderwood in East Kilbride. All social work adult day care centres and day care centres for older people. All community halls and country park buildings.
No services: Burials and cremations. Bins collection. No special uplifts for garden or bulky household waste.
Possible disruptions: school meals not expected to be available.

STIRLING:
www.stirling.gov.uk
Closed: All libraries except in Callander, Cambusbarron, Dunblane and Killin. Lower Polmaise waste transfer station, Weighbridge and composting facility. Household waste recycling centres in Lower Polmaise, Callander and Balfron. Springkerse Park and Ride car park and bus stop.
School closures: Bannockburn primary, St. Ninians primary, Riverside primary, Bannockburn High. No school meals.
Nursery closures: Bannockburn, St. Ninians, Cowie, Riverside, Castleview and Cornton.
No services: the play/crèche team. Kerbside recycling.
Limited services: meals on wheels, anti-social behaviour resolution team (including community wardens). Youth services from Steeple.
Possible disruption: school crossing patrols, escorts and learning assistants, nursery classes.

WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE:
www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk
Closed: All schools including special schools and nurseries. All council buildings and area housing offices.
Axed services: Refuse collections.

WEST LOTHIAN:
www.westlothian.gov.uk
Closed: All nursery schools and special schools. Carmondean and Broxburn primary schools. Day care service units. West Lothian Advice Shop. Customer information service centres.
Axed service: bin collection.
Partially closed: Kirkhill Primary School.
Limited services: Bathgate and Strathbrock customer information service centres.
Cancelled: scheduled meeting of the council's development control committee.

WESTERN ISLES:
www.cne-siar.gov.uk
Closed: All libraries and some mobile library services. Comhairle offices at Stornoway and Balivanich. Sports facilities will be closed except at Lionel and Shawbost where the pools are expected to open as usual. Harris Sports Centre will also be open.
Reduced service: Offices at Castlebay and Tarbert.