Day of Strike Action Looms in Medway

Next Wednesday will see public sector workers throughout Rochester and Medway take industrial action against a cut in their pensions.

Schools, council offices, courts and job centres are likely to be affected, as the row about public sector employees being asked to contribute an extra 3% to their pensions rumbles on. However, Medway Council are in discussion with unions to ensure that vital services, such as those in linked service centres, social worker and adult social care staff, sheltered housing and residential care homes is not disrupted. The BMA and RCN are not striking although there may be some delays due to other hospital workers taking action. 

Medway Council suggest following their Twitter feed for up to date developments, although their website already has a comprehensive list of local schools which are closed or partially closed. There is also a dedicated page for local services such as libraries but there are currently no scheduled closures listed there. 

If you already volunteer at a school and are therefore CRB checked, it is possible for you to help out on the day, to alleviate the stress on parents who have to work. Although the National Association of Head Teachers advises their members against it, it would certainly be worth checking with your own school to see if this is a possibility.

For those who wish to support/heckle protesters, there will be a rally taking place at 12.30pm at The Command House, Chatham. 

There's a Q&A on the BBC website for more of the facts and figures regarding both the government and the unions positions - please do have a read, it's very informative, particularly in view of some of the arguments I've seen - and then let us know what you think. Should public sector workers be brought into line with the private sector or should final salary pension schemes and earlier retirement continue to be funded?