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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Capital workers in strike action | Capital workers in strike action |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Thousands of council workers in Edinburgh have taken part in a one-day strike in protest at threatened cuts and redundancies. | |
| Employees waving placards packed Edinburgh City Chambers quadrangle on the Royal Mile from 0830 BST on Thursday in a show of strength. | Employees waving placards packed Edinburgh City Chambers quadrangle on the Royal Mile from 0830 BST on Thursday in a show of strength. |
| The 24-hour Unison strike saw the shutdown of more than 60 nurseries, primary schools and community centres. | |
| Just before 1000 BST, council officials arriving for a meeting were booed. | Just before 1000 BST, council officials arriving for a meeting were booed. |
| During the meeting councillors narrowly backed controversial plans to shut 22 schools across the city. | During the meeting councillors narrowly backed controversial plans to shut 22 schools across the city. |
| Edinburgh City Council will now put proposals for the phased closure of the schools out to consultation. | Edinburgh City Council will now put proposals for the phased closure of the schools out to consultation. |
| Schools and centres affected by Thursday's strike | Schools and centres affected by Thursday's strike |
| The vote was split down party lines, with the SNP and Liberal Democrat administration supporting the recommendations of the council's director of children and families. | The vote was split down party lines, with the SNP and Liberal Democrat administration supporting the recommendations of the council's director of children and families. |
| The Labour, Green and Conservative group voted against the plans, but Lord Provost George Grubb used his casting vote to back the proposals. | |
| The aim is to save £9m in running costs over the next three years and tackle falling rolls. | The aim is to save £9m in running costs over the next three years and tackle falling rolls. |
| If these cuts are made then there will be a domino effect on the services we support Pat KerrStriking council worker Disruption to services | If these cuts are made then there will be a domino effect on the services we support Pat KerrStriking council worker Disruption to services |
| The strike action follows a ballot by Unison last week. A total of 1,601 workers voted in favour of the walkout, with 661 voting against, the union said. | The strike action follows a ballot by Unison last week. A total of 1,601 workers voted in favour of the walkout, with 661 voting against, the union said. |
| Mothers with their children affected by the announcement of school closures also supported a rally at the City Chambers. | Mothers with their children affected by the announcement of school closures also supported a rally at the City Chambers. |
| The crowd chanted "save our schools" in between speeches from union officials. | The crowd chanted "save our schools" in between speeches from union officials. |
| Pat Kerr, 50, a council housing project worker, said: "If these cuts are made then there will be a domino effect on the services we support. | Pat Kerr, 50, a council housing project worker, said: "If these cuts are made then there will be a domino effect on the services we support. |
| "I am angry that they are talking about having overspent the budget. How can they have when they meet monthly to discuss what they do with their money?" | "I am angry that they are talking about having overspent the budget. How can they have when they meet monthly to discuss what they do with their money?" |
| The Cast of Woody Sez played at a strike rally in Edinburgh | The Cast of Woody Sez played at a strike rally in Edinburgh |
| Aud Noble, 40, a mother who was supporting the strike with her children, said she was "alarmed" by the announcement of school closures in the city. | Aud Noble, 40, a mother who was supporting the strike with her children, said she was "alarmed" by the announcement of school closures in the city. |
| She said: "I have brought my children today to support this strike because I am so angry about the council's announcement to close schools including Westfield Court Nursery. | She said: "I have brought my children today to support this strike because I am so angry about the council's announcement to close schools including Westfield Court Nursery. |
| "The nursery provides half of the city's additional support needs places so it is ludicrous and alarming to want to shut it down." | "The nursery provides half of the city's additional support needs places so it is ludicrous and alarming to want to shut it down." |
| Duncan Smith, Unison Edinburgh branch chairman, said: "Our members are very angry because the services, which would be affected by job cuts, are very important. | Duncan Smith, Unison Edinburgh branch chairman, said: "Our members are very angry because the services, which would be affected by job cuts, are very important. |
| "I don't know if after today there will be further action but if there are cuts, we will seriously oppose them." | "I don't know if after today there will be further action but if there are cuts, we will seriously oppose them." |