Services affected across the borough
Five schools in Hammersmith and Fulham are completely closed due to a two day strike by union members on Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 July.
The following schools are closed: Fulham Primary School, St Peter's Primary School (though school trips for year 1 and 2 are going ahead), Wendell Park Primary School, Jack Tizard and Queensmill.
Schools which are partially closed are: Avonmore, Brackenbury and Normand Croft.
The council says 46 schools in the borough will remain open as usual.
H&F advises that there will be no refuse collection of any kind on Wednesday or Thursday and when services resume, refuse collectors will be working two days in arrears until Monday 21 July.
Five out of six libraries are closed. These include Askew Road, Shepherd's Bush, Hammersmith, Baron's Court and Sands End. Fulham Library is offering a reduced service.
Fulham registrars’ office at Fulham Town Hall will be open but offering a limited service. Visitors are advised to call 020 8753 2140 before going there.
All other services, including meals on wheels and housing benefits are operating as normal.
Members of Unison and Unite/T&G are walking out in a national dispute over pay after members rejected the government’s 2.45 per cent pay increase offer.
Unions say their members need a higher increase to match inflation, which hit a ten year high on Tuesday 15 July.
Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison, said: "The pounds in local government workers' pockets are turning to pennies.
"The cost of everyday essentials like milk, bread, petrol, gas and electricity are going through the roof. Our members cannot afford to take another cut in their pay.
"Strike action is always a last resort but we have been left with no choice.”
Hammersmith and Fulham Council Chief Executive, Geoff Alltimes, said: "The fact is, the claim by the unions is simply unaffordable and strike action will not change this.
"Withdrawing services to residents in pursuit of an unrealistic pay claim will not help resolve this dispute.
"We will do everything possible to minimise disruption to residents and limit the damage caused by the unions who are walking out.”
15 July 2008
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