| Strike Action | 27 March 2006 |
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Council services in the Western Isles will be disrupted tomorrow by industrial action taken by employees in protest at Government plans to change pension rights. Many Council offices and facilities will be closed as a result of the action. The Nicolson Institute and Laxdale Primary will be closed. There will be no refuse collections or Comhairle bus services. The Comhairle’s out of hours service, Faire (01851 701702), will deal with emergency only calls. Registration will be an ‘on call’ only service. The following facilities will not be open: Council Offices in Stornoway, Balivanich and Barra. Schools The aim of the Education Department is to ensure that as few pupils as possible will be affected. Teaching staff are not on strike and Headteachers have an obligation to open schools when Janitors are not available. Consequently, schools in the Western Isles, in common with many other parts of Scotland, will for the most part be operational. There will, however, be some impact. Pre-school and Special Education will be affected. School transport, where this is provided by Comhairle buses, will not be available. In the larger schools it will be considerably more difficult to provide a normal service. In the Nicolson Institute it had been expected that S4, S5 and S6, pupils who will soon be sitting national examinations, would be taught. However, even since Friday, the situation has had to be reviewed as more staff than anticipated will be on strike. Consequently the school will not now be open for pupils. Laxdale School is similarly affected. Sgoil Lionacleit will be open for S4, S5 and S6 pupils. Parents will be informed by their own school in relation to any impact on the operation of the school. HIGHLAND 2007 MEETING Due to the strike action the Highland 2007 meeting in Barra has been re-scheduled for Thursday 6th April 19:00, Castlebay Hall Conference Room.
Nigel Scott Tel: 01851 709389 (Work) |
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