8:13am UK, Wednesday June 29, 2011
Travellers have been warned to prepare for long delays at passport control as UK Border Agency staff join up to 750,000 striking public sector workers tomorrow.
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Video: A teacher and ATL member on why she is striking
Thousands of schools, job centres, tax offices and courts are also expected to be closed or badly disrupted by the planned 24-hour walkout over pensions.
Holidaymakers and business travellers are set for a day of frustration - and the UK Border Agency has written to airlines suggesting they advise passengers to travel on an "alternative day".
Jonathan Sedgwick, acting chief executive of the agency, said: "We
will do everything we can to minimise disruption and inconvenience to travellers.
Passengers are likely to face long delays at airports
"But our priority will always be to ensure that the UK border remains secure."
Parents across England and Wales will be forced to make alternative childcare arrangements as teachers join the action.
Driving tests will also be cancelled, while picket lines will be mounted outside Government departments.
Russell Hobby, National Association of Head Teachers general secretaryIt is probably not unlawful but we would strongly advise our members not to accept voluntary help to cover for absent staff this Thursday.
More than 3,700 schools in 80 areas are likely to be hit by the industrial action being taken by members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL).
Across England, it means a total of more than 7,500 schools will be forced to close or partially close.
And the University and College Union (UCU) say a strike by its members will cause "significant disruption" at 350 colleges and 75 universities.
Michael Gove has come under fire from the NAHT
Schools had been given until Wednesday to decide whether or not to support the plans, so the numbers hit by the walkout may rise.
The NUT believes 85% of schools could be affected, which equates to around 17,000 state schools, collectively educating millions of pupils.
The Government says "rigorous" contingency plans are in place to ensure essential services are maintained during the strike.
Prime Minister David Cameron urges workers to call off the strikeThese strikes are wrong. It is the changes we propose that are right.
But the National Association of Head Teachers has expressed "grave concerns" about Education Secretary Michael Gove's suggestion that parents could volunteer to cover for striking teachers.
General secretary Russell Hobby said: "It is probably not unlawful but we would strongly advise our members not to accept voluntary help to cover for absent staff this Thursday."
The Public and Commercial Services Union said it expects its members in jobcentres, tax office Government departments, driving test centres, ports, courts and airports to strongly support the strike.
Article Source KBG Test Blog (http://rc.kbg.me)
