MERSEYSIDE is bracing itself for what unions have described as the region’s “biggest labour movement event in 100 years”.
On Wednesday, November 30, schools, public transport, health and council workers are expected to walk out in a national dispute over pensions.
That could potentially mean transport chaos as Mersey tunnels, ferries and some bus depots are hit.
Merseyrail trains and privately operated bus companies will run normally because their staff are not affected.
Unison, which represents public sector workers from nurses to probation officers and librarians, voted for strike action earlier this month with a 78% majority, though only 29% of members voted.
And last night UCATT members representing local government, the NHS, the Prison Service and the Civil Service voted four to one to join them, with the turn-out representing just over a quarter of their number.
GMB last night announced their members had voted to strike by a four to one majority on a 33% turn-out, and Unite’s decision is due to be announced today.
Trade unions, however, only need to give seven days’ notice of potential strike action, so the full effect of the ballots is not yet known.
