Thousands get set for mass pensions strike

PROTESTERS across Oldham will be taking to the picket lines tomorrow as they join forces for the national public sector strike.

Thousands of workers across all sectors are expected to take part in the day of action with many heading to local protests to take a stand against proposed pension changes.

The early morning action will start from 7.30am with union members joining picket lines across the borough, including at Oldham Library, Oldham Civic Centre and Chadderton Town Hall.

Later that morning, they will head to the town centre and meet around noon at the entrance to the Tommyfield Market on Albion Street for a short march along Albion Street, Curzon Street, High Street and Lord Street.

This will be followed by “One Noise at One”, where they will make as much noise as possible at 1pm, and then a short rally.

The protests will coincide with similar events happening across the North-West in one of the biggest public strikes in decades.

Trade union GMB said its members across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland had voted by more than 4 to 1 in favour of strike action to defend their pensions.

Paul McCarthy, GMB Regional Secretary said: “Millions of public-sector workers will be protesting about the Government’s unfair and bullying attack on their pensions.

“The Government lacks the moral courage to now settle this dispute for fear of upsetting their right wing backbenchers and those on the lunatic fringe who attack worker’s rights.

“This Government’s vocal erosion of public services and public-sector workers’ rights is in marked contrast to its complete lack of action over the out of control bankers and the obscene levels of pay to directors in the boardrooms.

“It is about time that the Government started to appreciate and praise public sector workers rather than attacking them, vilifying them and kicking them around.”

Greater Manchester Police said its plans to keep the region safe during the industrial action include officers at each planned protest in Greater Manchester.

Police have also asked residents to report non-urgent matters on the phone number 101 to help them better deal with emergency 999 calls.

Assistant Chief Cons Ian Hopkins said: “While we fully respect people’s right to strike we must balance this with the fact that as a police force we have a job to do.

“Due to the cancellation of police officer rest days there will be more officers than normal on the streets and we have plans in place to maintain the service to the public which includes our critical functions such as emergency calls, incidents which are graded as a high priority, custody and major crime investigation.

“Obviously there will be some unknowns and we will deal with them the best we can, when and if, they arise.

“However I would ask the public to bear this in mind when they are asking for advice or help with non-urgent incidents as the response time to those kinds of incidents may be slightly longer.

“I would ask those who have non-urgent incidents to report to please call the new national non-emergency number of 101.

“This will reduce the amount of calls to the 999 line meaning that will be better equipped to deal with the genuine emergency calls.”

ACC Hopkins added: “We do not foresee any potential for disorder but I want to make it abundantly clear that anyone who attends any of the locations with any intention other than taking part in a peaceful and legitimate protest will be dealt with swiftly and robustly.”

Meanwhile, NHS Direct is also encouraging patients to use its online health and symptom checkers tomorrow.

NHS Direct’s 0845 46 47 telephone service will be available tomorrow but its health and symptom checker is also available at www.nhs.uk/nhsdirect.

Tricia Hamilton, chief nurse at NHS Direct, said: “Our online health and symptom checkers and mobile app are another way for patients to access our services.

“They are easy to use and help to ensure that our telephone service remains available for those people who would most benefit from speaking to one of our nurses.”


Parents urged ‘make every effort’
PARENTS should make every effort to get into work during tomorrow’s strike, according to the Minister who is fronting the Government’s battle with the unions.



Francis Maude said families had been given enough notice of the industrial action to make alternative arrangements when schools close.

The Cabinet Office Minister also admitted he enjoyed a “very generous” public sector pension, saying the package underlined the importance of reforming the whole system. As the nation’s public-sector workers prepared to hold the biggest strike since 1979, Mr Maude gave his message to parents facing school closures and costly childcare costs.

He said: “I would strongly urge them to go into work, one way or another. If there can be ways for employers to provide child care when schools are closed that would be good.”



Oldham Council was today updating its website, www.oldham.gov.uk, with a list of schools affected by tomorrow’s industrial action.