Strike Action – Wednesday 20 August 2008

Click here for Latest Strike Action update (issued 19 Aug)

Services provided by The Highland Council will be disrupted on Wednesday 20 August as the result of industrial action, which is part of nationwide action by Unite the Union, GMB and Unison members in respect of the National Pay Award.

The Council’s headquarters at Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, and all area offices will be open and the Council will endeavour to keep disruption to a minimum.

However, a number of Council services will be affected. More information regarding likely impact on services and contingency arrangements will be available as soon as they are known.

The known disruption is –

Closed: Church Street, Inverness; Hilton, Inverness; Tain; Ullapool; Broadford, Kyle, Thurso, Bettyhill,  Brora, Dornoch, Lairg, Nairn, Grantown, Kingussie, Fort William.

Closed

Closed: Dingwall, Inverness, Portree, Fort William, Thurso and Wick

There will be no refuse collection, kerbside recycling or bulky uplifts on Wednesday. Residents should NOT put their bins out that day. Normal refuse collection will be the following Wednesday. The public is urged to use recycling centres to dispose of surplus waste when they reopen on Thursday 21 August.

These will be closed.

There will be no burials or cremations on Wednesday.

These will be closed.

The Corran Ferry linking Nether Lochaber to Ardgour and the Camusnagaul passenger ferry, Fort William, will not operate on Wednesday.

Teaching unions are not on strike on Wednesday. All primary and secondary schools are expected to be open. However, the industrial action taken by ancillary staff, such as janitors, catering and cleaning staff, and classroom assistants and drivers will impact on the level of service provided at schools.

Hostel pupils are being advised to delay their return to school until Thursday 21 August.

Schools and units with pupils who have additional support needs, such as Drummond School, Inverness; St Clement’s School, Dingwall and St Duthus, Tain, will be closed on Wednesday.

The school meals service will also be disrupted in many schools. Pupils are advised to take packed lunches. Also affected are libraries, community centres and swimming pools.

Residential care will be maintained and home care will be provided to the most vulnerable but it is likely that home care and day care services will be affected on Wednesday. Some offices normally open to the public may also be affected.

Enquiries regarding emergency repairs to council houses and emergency homelessness should be directed to 0845 700 2005.