Public sector workers go on strike in Hillingdon

Jun 30 2011 By Dan Coombs

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PUBLIC sector workers across Hillingdon have begun a strike this morning (Thursday) in protest at a planned reform of their pensions.

Schools across the borough are closed, with 30 closed entirely, and 31 partially open, running a reduced service for certain year groups only.

Protestors from Hillingdon Against Cuts have been touring picket lines around the borough, and will gather at Uxbridge tube station at 12pm before heading into central London to join the main rally.

One of the picket lines is at the HMRC building in Park Road, Uxbridge, with employees being supported by horn-honking motorists.

Lydia Ndoinjeh, PCS rep, said: "There are less people going into work here than normal. We have already had a pay freeze and now they want to cut our pension agreement.

"We support the whole of Hillingdon in joining strike action."

Former councillor Wally Kennedy, chairman of Hillingdon Against Cuts, said: "The impact of schools striking has been tremendous across the borough, even in places like Northwood which are real Conservative areas."

Hundreds of immigration staff based at and around Heathrow Airport have formed their own picket line at the Nene Roundabout on Heathrow's perimeter, and will remain there all morning.

How are you affected by the strikes? Will the pension reform plans affect you? E-mail editorialuxbridge@trinitysouth.co.uk