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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Thousands strike in pay band row | Thousands strike in pay band row |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| More than 80 schools in Birmingham have closed as thousands of council workers stage a 24-hour strike. | |
| The walkout, which follows the failure of last-ditch talks, is expected to cause widespread disruption and affect all council services. | The walkout, which follows the failure of last-ditch talks, is expected to cause widespread disruption and affect all council services. |
| Up to 20,000 city council workers voted to strike over plans to restructure staff pay bands with unions claiming they were not consulted. | Up to 20,000 city council workers voted to strike over plans to restructure staff pay bands with unions claiming they were not consulted. |
| Birmingham City Council said it was legally obliged to review its services. | Birmingham City Council said it was legally obliged to review its services. |
| Many of the issues they've raised we believe that we can come to a resolution on Council chief executive Stephen Hughes | |
| The council claims 45% of the workers will get a "considerable increase". | The council claims 45% of the workers will get a "considerable increase". |
| But the unions said some council staff could lose up to £18,000 a year each under the plans. | But the unions said some council staff could lose up to £18,000 a year each under the plans. |
| They have said they will not back down on the issue and there is a possibility of further strikes. | |
| 'Non-critical services' | 'Non-critical services' |
| There are about 450 schools in the city. | |
| Workers including cooks, cleaners and teaching assistants are on strike, forcing some closures. | |
| The council's chief executive, Stephen Hughes, said: "Many of the issues they've raised we believe that we can come to a resolution on. | |
| "So we very much regret the fact that they've decided to go ahead and take industrial action anyway." | |
| In an earlier statement, the council said "regrettably" it has had to suspend "a number of non-critical services". | |
| But it has told people to put rubbish out as some will be collected. | |
| 'Deserve better' | |
| The council is the biggest unitary authority in the UK and efforts will be made to keep as many services and buildings open as possible, a spokesman has said. | |
| Members of Unison, Unite, the GMB and the construction workers union Ucatt are taking part in the strike. | Members of Unison, Unite, the GMB and the construction workers union Ucatt are taking part in the strike. |
| More than 80 people had been on one picket line in Kings Norton since about 0600 GMT. | |
| Unison West Midlands regional secretary Valerie Broom said: "Our members deserve better treatment and the people of Birmingham deserve better quality services." | |
| The city council listed the schools expected to be affected on its website. | |
| Other services which were set to be affected included: | |
| Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery | |
| More than 20 libraries closed | More than 20 libraries closed |